Psalm
83: 14, 15
As
the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; so
persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
The
fireworks lit up the Independence Day night sky. Children watched wide-eyed,
and parents exclaimed appropriately at each burst. The town echoed with the
booming blasts of each rocket. The show was spectacular, and everyone had a
good time. A few even remembered why the celebration took place.
Some remembered
that the fireworks represented all the bombs that had burst for freedom. A
handful walked away from the celebration with a hope beating in their breasts.
The hope was that there would come a time when no more bombs would burst, when
no one would have to live in fear for their lives. Some hoped for a day when
peace would rule the land.
Some
fear is healthy. It brings us to our senses and forces us to look at things
with a level head. War is a terrible thing. It breaks down and destroys. God
wants us to consider well the consequences of war. What we do to one another,
He will not undo. Perhaps a fear of the Lord would bring us to our senses.
Maybe we would then realize where we stand, and we would choose to stand closer
to God.
Prayer:
I pray for independence and freedom for all of creation, Lord. While we
celebrate and laugh at the bursting bombs, some cower in fear and trembling. Be
with them, Father. Amen.
