When War Means Peace

Nahum; Psalm 137; Proverbs 30:10

Everyone wants peace without war. Right? Who doesn’t? But sometimes achieving peace for ourselves involves a time of war, not because we want war, but because our enemies’ threats and attacks leave us two un-peaceful alternatives: suffer and die or fight.

Even the peace God has in store for His people involves some war. In the first chapter of Nahum, we read these two seemingly opposite declarations, a statement about the horrible wrath of God and one of the all-time most classic announcements of peace:

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. – Nahum 1:2

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. – Nahum 1:15a

Some people accuse God of being inconsistent, but Nahum sees no conflict. God is a God of peace. And God is a God of war. Peace for His people. War for His enemies. There is no inconsistency in the character of God here.

In fact, although God is a God of war, He has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make peace with His enemies. Instead of launching bombs of fury down on all sinners, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).

God’s offer of peace has come. It’s been firmly established through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. But we must never forget Jesus Christ, God’s offer of peace, came to save people who had been living as God’s enemies. If enemies do not accept an offer of peace, what happens? War continues. Much of the world has chosen to reject God’s offer of peace. Why are they surprised, then, to hear that God would continue to plan their judgment?

Father, may Your peace reign, and may many more accept Your offer of peace through Jesus’ death before Your final war comes to make peace certain for Your people.

Testimony time! Who else has experienced God’s peace, and what made You realize You needed Him?