1 Chron. 17:1-19:19, Luke 12:22-40

Thought from Today’s Old Testament Passage: At this point somebody is going to say, “You have been emphasizing that Chronicles is God’s viewpoint. How can wars be fitted into this interpretation?” … In the New Testament James, in a very practical manner, asked the question: “From where do wars come?” He not only asked the question, but he gives the answer: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:1–2). In other words, the background of war is the sinful heart of man. It is very easy to protest wars, but we will never get rid of wars by protesting. Protesting may bring a single war to an end, but another one is sure to start, because the basic problem is in the sinful heart of man. The Lord Jesus came into our world and this is what He said, “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils” (Luke 11:21–22). Why did He say that? Because there are enemies abroad. We do not live in an ideal situation. The Millennium has not come yet—nor is man able to produce it. The Prince of Peace is the only One who will bring peace to this earth. Until He comes, we will do well to keep our powder dry. J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, ©1981 by J. Vernon McGee.