Micah 1:1-4:13 The Bible is clear about what causes war. James tells us that wars exist because of our own lusts. I am so thankful that no one in my immediate family ever had to fight in a war, because “war is hell.” I heard the testimony of a Christian who was shot down in Vietnam and held prisoner for over a year. His testimony was inspiring, but just think of a day when there will be no more testimonies like his. One day there will be no more war. Micah looks forward to that day when he says, “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Mic. 4:1-3, KJV).
This will come to pass in the last days when Jesus comes to rule and reign on earth. During this time of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, nations will drop their weapons and there will finally be peace on earth. This period of peace, however, will not last forever, because during this time Satan once again will be released and wars will again begin. The good news is that the army of God wins the final war, and then there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Does this seem like a fairy tale that is too good to come true? This prophecy will take place, rest assured. Does this seem to be so far distant that it has no affect upon your behavior now? Remember, one thousand years is as a day with the Lord, and we are about to begin our third day. Jesus was raised on the third day, and there is a coming day soon when we all will be raised with Jesus to live forever in His presence. In the meantime, we can do our part to keep the wars in our relationships from happening. We can choose to lay down right now the mighty weapon of our tongues that wounds and hurts others with the bullets of words fired rapidly from our mouths. We can choose to cease from strife and speak only those things that edify. If you will make a covenant with your mouth as David did when he said, “I purposed that my mouth shall not transgress,” the wars in our personal relationships will cease. The major cause of strife is pride.
Humble yourself today by submitting your tongue to the Prince of Peace.
READ: Micah 1:1-4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4