Messiah, savior of the planet.
Son of God, established as king.
Killing evil doers to end all sin, right?
War against nations, right?
We’ve got some great earthly ideas for God. We’ve got violent solutions for just about every problem and God is seeking our advice, right? Well, there are ways that the problems of the world are solve, kill, capture, enslave, subdue. Earth has some great ideas about how to rule itself. Powerlessness has really had some great ideas about enforcing righteousness on itself. Earth has offered to God a great idea about what leadership of a nation looks like, he’s proud right?
God has said a few things in his time:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8 NIV
“Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” Hosea 1:7 NIV
Reading the scriptures, God often saves individuals and nations by ways we find obscure and unpredictable. It’s difficult for weakness to have ideas that strength would have. Our imaginations are, only, as large as our capabilities. God invites us to let him help. His power is infinite and his strength is greater than all force in the universe, holding suns and planetary orbits. And he’s on his own side when it comes the battles of right and wrong.
As God explained to the Israel through Moses, one of many times, before they conquered territory, “Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Duet 9:6 NIV
Emphasis on the “not your righteousness,” over and over God informs his nation Israel that it’s not about them. Later, Joshua is in battle and the angel of the Lord shows up. Joshua asks the angel if he’s there to fight with him or against him. The angle answers him, “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Joshua 5:14 NIV
God being on his own side means that he is first and foremost on the his own side: righteousness and justice. That being said, it says, God want mankind restored to himself. He does not want us in trouble but in peace, because that is the nature of righteousness: peace. The consequence of justice should also lead to peace. And, in that way both righteousness and justice, mercy and punishment are harmonized by what they produce: peace.
The war is for the souls of man to be brought under the cover of the strength of righteousness and the glory of justice, establishing a kingdom of heaven on earth, restoring people to God’s love, provision, shelter, and grace. Covered by his wings, once for all time.
Making Sangria 