The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

—Psalm 46:6–10

As I mention in my book’s introduction, my adopted dad was in the army, although he was retired by the time I was born. I was raised to respect and appreciate our soldiers and to be grateful for all they’d sacrificed to serve the United States and keep us safe. I love seeing the American flag on display and witnessing military flyovers at events. And hearing “Taps” played on a lone bugle always moves me to tears.

It had never occurred to me that some people believe it’s impossible for Christians to be soldiers because they shouldn’t engage in violence, or they might be forced to act against their beliefs and values. However, as in any other civil role, Christians who are enlisted in the military can reflect God’s honor, as well as protect the vulnerable and uphold justice, in both times of war and times of peace. The Lord calls some to be peacemakers and some to be protectors, and He can use both to serve His purposes.

The Old Testament contains numerous stories of battles and wars. The psalms, in particular, discuss war a lot—which makes sense, since David wrote many of these songs, and he was a man of war. He desired to build a temple for the Lord in Jerusalem, but as he explained to Solomon, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight’” (1 Chronicles 22:8). As Israel’s king and military leader for forty years,

David was intimately familiar with all that war entailed.

Although David didn’t write Psalm 46, it contains many similar ideas to what he expressed in his inspired writings, such as God’s sovereignty over all creation, His protection of His people, and the truth that salvation is found only in Him.

Human Conflict in a Fallen World

Today’s excerpt begins with the words “The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved” (Psalm 46:6). In a sinful world, human conflict is inevitable. Though people often talk about establishing “peace on earth,” that reality is impossible with mankind in its current state, as even Christians are both saints and sinners in the present age.

However, the phrase “the kingdoms were moved” reflects the truth that nations don’t rise and fall of their own volition. As it says in Psalm 44:2–3, “You drove out the nations with Your hand, but them You planted; you afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”

The Lord Fights Our Battles for Us

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, their victories weren’t due to their own might or brilliant military strategies. The Israelites prevailed because the Lord went before them and was with them. As Moses told Joshua when anointing him the new leader of Israel: “The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you.… And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:5, 8).

The Lord’s sovereignty is also reflected in the second part of verse 6 in Psalm 46: “He uttered His voice, the earth melted.” God’s voice can create, and it also can destroy. Yet only He has the ultimate power of creation and destruction, as He says in Isaiah 45:7: “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

Verse 7 of the psalm refers to God as “the Lord of hosts.” He’s the commander in chief of the heavenly armies that battle His enemies and ours. On the eve of Joshua’s defeat of Jericho, a man appeared before him. When he asked the man whether He was for or against the Israelites, the man answered, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (Joshua 5:14). Whether for or against the temporal endeavors of nations, God is always on the eternal side of the faithful, and “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

In verse 8 of the psalm, we read that the Lord “has made desolations in the earth,” but that He also “makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire” (Psalm 46:9). Neither our weapons nor our treaties determine peace—only God does this. The United States has formidable military capabilities. However, “no king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.… Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield” (Psalm 33:16–17, 20).

The Eternal Battle Is Already Won

That judgment precedes peace can be seen in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:8–10).

The eternal battle—against sin, death, and the devil—was already won by an army of one: the Lamb of God who died on the cross to take away the sins of the world. In Him, we can be still, for He gives us rest and peace (Matthew 11:28; John 14:27). And in Him we know God (John 14:9).

Temporal and spiritual warfare will continue until Christ returns, and when He does, “[He] will be exalted among the nations, [He] will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

Until then, may He protect our nation from violent conflicts, and may He strengthen and preserve everyone who serves in our military.

Prayer

Mighty Lord, You have fought many battles for Your people, and we know that even when the violence and chaos of war seems to abound across the globe, You are in control. Help us to remember that our ultimate hope isn’t anchored in governments or armies, but in Your faithfulness and the peace we have with You and with one another in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.

For Further Reflection

• Do you think it’s acceptable for Christians to serve in the military? Why or why not?
• How should Christians respond when the United States is involved in military conflicts that appear to be unjust?

Excerpt taken from One Nation Under God: 40 Devotions for Patriotic Women by Amanda C. Bauch.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version^®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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