Day 88: War

Acts 4:1-22; Deuteronomy 19-20; Job 13

I love this story of Peter!  Peter, who denied he knew Jesus is now preaching the gospel in front of people who hate him! The officials were amazed because Peter and John were “ordinary” and not educated in the way the high priests were.  Ordinary people with an extraordinary message.  These men were so sure of their faith that they risked their lives to follow him.  That is awesome.

So scripture says that we are not to show mercy to a murderer:  does that mean the death penalty is ok?  Of course someone who kills someone is guilty of the worst crime, but in our culture that does not serve God, is it their job to take a person’s life into their own hands (as God commanded) when they do not serve the Lord in other ways?  Maybe it is.  This is one of those issues that I don’t know how to feel.  Do I want murderers let out because God is merciful?  No.  But do I want to be for something that kills a person when God no longer holds us under the Old Law?  No.  I just wish people wouldn’t kill other people.  That’s my prayer.

There are several interesting components to the war situation.  First, it does not say that they will never have to fight.  Battles are a part of life, but we are not to be afraid: God is with us.  Secondly, it does not say that people will never lose their lives.  People do die in this thing we call life, often times sooner than we expected and in terrible ways.  And yet, the officers send people home who have not fulfilled certain life situations.  God wants us to enjoy the things of this world.  He wants us to be blessed with a home, job, family, and faith—God is a loving God and wants to care for us.  We may not receive those blessings in the shape or time that we expect, but God does care for our needs.