“He 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).

For many years now, the Arabs and Israelis have been engaged in a charade called the “peace process,” and the other nations have fought two world wars as well as scores of local wars in vain attempts to bring world peace.

In the meantime, multitudes have died in the wars, and we supposedly honor their memory by taking a three-day holiday! One thinks of the scene where the souls under the heavenly altar cry out, saying “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10). And it is not only soldiers who have died. We remember the many who have been slain because of their Christian faith even in modern times (in China, Russia, Sudan, Viet Nam, and on and on).

But there will indeed come a time when wars will cease! “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).

The nations need to realize, however, that no permanent world peace will ever be established by the United Nations or any kind of world government. As our text says, it is God who “maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.”

World peace can only be established and sustained by that One whose name “shall be called . . . The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. . . . The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6,7).

But while we await His soon return, we do well to remember and honor those who have died for love of country and even more—those who have suffered and died for their faith in Christ. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13). HMM