Mary-Ellen’s Note
Though people have fought and struggled for freedom throughout history, there is a sense in which freedom is free. We must learn to leave vengeance to the Lord and learn to “move easy in harness,” exercising self-discipline, cooperation with community law, and obedience to God. There is good reason that Deuteronomy 32:35 reads, “Vengeance is mine says the Lord!” or in the NIV: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” God is the only one who can afford vengeance morally, spiritually, and financially. As a people, we are learning only too pointedly that revenge or vengeance exacts moral and financial prices that we simply cannot afford. The toll is too heavy. Morally and spiritually, vengeance usually corrupts and demeans the practitioners. As a nation, we are finding that the monetary costs are too great, far beyond our means to pay.
As a nation, we cannot play God. If we try to control too much beyond our ability, we will bankrupt our resources. Years ago, Karl Marx predicted that the United States would ruin themselves by fighting wars of attrition, prolonged wars that would deplete our resources and leave us weak. While we cannot assume such a passive role if we are truly and obviously attacked by another nation, we must realize that we cannot control the destiny and internal affairs of other nations without sacrificing the strength and resources that help to make us great–and independent! Too much financial risk will put us in the position of not even being able to defend ourselves if a genuine need should arise.
And our busy-bodied interference in the internal affairs of other countries may be working against God’s will for this world. A careful study of Scripture should result in some knowledge of what personal and national agendas will be totally futile and terribly costly.
While I would never cast aspersions on the great sacrifice our fighting forces have made for our country and for freedom, I would certainly question the wisdom of a number of the choices our governing bodies and persons have made. We need to know when enough is enough and to let go, and let God. Though the wrong is often very strong, God is the ruler yet. With prayer and trust, we need to rely on Him. “In God we trust”–do we really?
…..Mary-Ellen Grisham (meginrose@gmail.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
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