Editorial - Proposals For Peace

Nations and their leaders, even companies or confederacies of nations, like the UN and the EU, cannot be relied on to help Israel and her people at this time in their history, nor indeed at this time in the world's history.

A secretary of state, or a foreign minister, or even a special envoy, may pontificate at length; he may make an assessment and give judgements and advice, but unless his proposed formula for peace is according to God's Word, then it is at best only man's insight, and at worst completely wrong, and therefore dangerous.

God's Word on the other hand gives all the advice necessary when a people who are at their wit's end want to solve their problems and achieve a successful outcome to their long-standing anguish of spirit: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes" (Psalm 118:9).

The Psalmist points to the way to be encouraged in the Lord and assured of His mighty power to overcome all obstacles: "Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is he who shall tread down our enemies" (Psalm 108:12,13).

This is God's Word and it is readily available to all who would look to Him for guidance in their personal affairs, or as in Israel's case, in the nation's affairs. On the eve of Israel's entry into the Land of Promise, and not long before his death, Moses promised his people: "For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to hold fast to him – then the LORD will drive out all these nations (of Canaan) from you . . . " (Deuteronomy 11:22,23).

The nation of Israel never could manage their affairs alone, nor were they expected to. Indeed, their God delighted to go before them, supplying all their needs, overcoming their enemies and keeping even sickness and disease from their midst IF they walked in His ways.

God's proposals for peace involve more than man-made plans and ideas. The teachings of His Word need to be consulted and obeyed, as they are essential for any nation's prosperity and well-being. 'Peace' is a word that is trumpeted ad nauseum day after day in the world's media–our newspapers, the radio and on television–but only the God of Peace has any real clues as to the best and surest way to achieve it.

• < Prev
• Next >