09/09/2021
PEACE
This article appeared in the Church bulletin last Sunday. It does not intend to address the wisdom or ethics of the presence of the United States troops and personnel in Afghanistan since 911.
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14
This final week of August, 2021, we witnessed the official evacuation of the last United States troops from Afghanistan, after twenty years of war. The Administration, the military, the media and other political experts were quick to announce that we were no longer at war. As a nation. We basically withdrew from the battlefield, and declared peace. The reality is that there are still many U.S. Citizens in Afghanistan who are trying to leave, and there are perhaps thousands of Friends of America who face retribution or death from the Taliban if they are unable to escape. Oh, and one minor detail - the enemy we have been opposing for 20 years is still there, and they have not declared peace.
They have moderated their stance somewhat, but the enemy has not been willing to meet the conditions of the withdrawal treaty. Instead of continuing to call for the prompt annihilation of America, they are willing to accept gifts of weapons and equipment from us, and millions of dollars and benefits from us, as they grow stronger and stronger. When an end to these gifts comes, or they are sufficiently satisfied, they will resume hostilities because, after all, they are still our enemies, no matter what we think. Their immediate interests do not deter them from their ultimate objective, which is death to America, Israel, Jews, Christians, and anyone else who is not willing to subjugate themselves to radical Islam. Honestly, if this did not involve Islam, it would be about some other ideology.
If we are wise, we will learn much from this present predicament, which will help us understand an age-old conflict. This is not a political war, at its root. Neither is it concerned with Nationalism, Socialism, Democracy, or any of the world’s political or governmental systems. This is not about a country, an earth, a planet, solar system, or universe. This is a war between God and Satan, good and evil, right and wrong. This is a war for the soul - the heart - of man. This is a war that we cannot win - without God! This is a war that we cannot lose - with God! This is a war that Satan thought he won 2000 years ago. He thought he won at the battle of Mount Calvary. Three days later, the Real Victor emerged. The war has already been won by the Lord, Jesus Christ. The only thing we don’t know yet, is the final count of casualties.
Will you be one of the Victors, or will you be a casualty of the conflict, because you didn’t trust in the Only One Who saves? Will you be one who fails to grasp that the spiritual war for your soul continues? Will you declare peace with an enemy whose desire is to kill your soul, steal your well-being, and destroy your peace? This is YOUR “Come to Jesus moment!”
Pastor Sam
