Psalms 46 and 47
He (God) maketh wars to cease unto the end. of the earth; He breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire,” Psalm 46:9.
Every promise made by God and every event spoken of in the Bible are sure to come true, but God has not told just the time for all to come to pass. He wants His people to believe and trust Him. And surely One so great deserves to be trusted. This verse about wars ending has not yet come true; there are wars in many parts of the world now, and have been ever since there were nations. For every new war, men have learned to make more dreadful weapons: the bow and spear have been changed for guns of great power and, instead of the heavy chariots, once driven to crush the enemy, there are now great tanks and bombs. But another scripture tells of a time when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” They will then make over their dreadful weapons into useful articles (Micah 4:3).
But before that peaceful time comes, all evil will be punished, there will be great trouble and “desolations” (Psalms 46:8).
The Lord does not take pleasure it wars or the punishment of wickedness: it is spoken of as a work “strange,” or not pleasant, to Him (Isaiah 28:21), and in every time of trouble all who believe Him will find certain help:
“God is our refuge. and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.
The singers of Israel sang of the time when there would be no more enemies. You clap your hands when you hear good news, so those who believe God will one day sing:
“O clap your hands, all we people: shout unto God.” Psalm 47:1.
To read of these events to happen, has always made those who believe God, more earnest to tell others of His mercy to all who will believe before the sorrows come God has shown His love to the whole world by sending His Son, Jesus, to earth. The Lord Jesus had great power, but Tie did not use it against those who tried to do Him harm, hut lived a patient, perfect life, and suffered death because of sin of men. Remember these verses:
“God so loved the world, that He give, His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
“God is not slack concerning His promise but long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Who said, “They that take the sword, shall perish with the sword?” Matthew 26:52.
ML 09/22/1940