Swords into Plowshares

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”Isaiah 2:4

One of the things that impressed Carol and me when we were in Britain, was the sheer number of war memorial statues and monuments. With two world wars taking place on or in close vicinity to British soil, and with an enormous percentage of the male population being sent into war (many of whom would not return alive), war is a sobering reality to the British people. Not that it isn't a sobering reality for Americans, because it is; but we have not had a foreign war fought on our soil, so there are parts of war that aren't as close-to-home for us as they are for our British friends.

The Battle of Britain monument was particularly awe-inspiring to see in person. It tells the story of the (relatively) tiny Royal Air Force and its dogged resistance and ultimate victory in the sky over the Germans. The inscription at the base of the monument reads: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” (Winston Churchill)

I have deep admiration for the men and women who serve in the armed forces to protect our nation and to promote freedom around the world. When I consider the sacrifice that these brave people are willing to make, I think of the kind of love that Jesus said was the greatest love of all: “No greater love has anyone than this, that they are willing to lay down their lives for their friends” (John 15:13). To paraphrase, our men and women in uniform demonstrate the greatest, most selfless love when they are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of our freedom.

But as one whose Savior is known as the Prince of Peace, I also bemoan the necessity of war and armed conflict. I know that evil in our world requires a harsh response to push it back, and so I acknowledge a necessity for military power.

I just wish it wasn't necessary. I long for a better way, and for a better day.

When we went to visit the Tower of London, there was a very interesting piece of art on display in one of the upstairs rooms. It was a giant dragon, a beast with legendary British roots. What particularly caught my eye, though, was the material from which the dragon was constructed. It was totally made from centuries-old weaponry and armor. Old helmets, breastplates, flintlocks, swords, rifles – all welded together to form an amazing piece of artistic beauty.

Immediately my mind went to the biblical vision of world peace:

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.' The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

(Isaiah 2:2-5)

As much as I appreciate the sacrifice that our men and women in the military make for our nation, my hope for a time when they can serve society in a peaceful capacity is even greater. I long for the day when people everywhere will lay down their sword and shield, down by the riverside, and we ain't gonna study war no more.

So I hope you will always be filled with deep gratitude for those who are defending our nation and our freedom, and share your gratitude with them. But I also hope that you will pray for the day when that great biblical vision will come to pass.

May the day quickly arrive when we will say to one another, “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”