A Time for War
If you ask people if there is ever a time for war most would quickly respond without a second thought yes! However, if the same question is asked on the brink of war many of the same people who formerly answered yes would respond with a definite no. Although we honor war veterans, we are not willing to pay the price ourselves to maintain freedom. America has not had to pay a devastating price for war since the Civil War. In no way am I attempting to demean the sacrifice of Americans in subsequent wars, Pearl Harbor, or 9-11-01. I simply want to underscore the point that we have not fought another war on home soil since then. War always cost lives, money and severe risk. Although I have never been in the military, as a historian I am not ignorant of the cost of war.
Many are asking the question: Is this the right war? Solomon said, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1; 8; 10-11). Not only is there a time for war, but war is sometimes a beautiful thing in spite of the high cost. In spite of the high cost it is doubtful that many Americans would undo the effects of the Civil War or World War II. War can only be beautiful if it preserves freedom. T accept that war can be beautiful we must believe that some things are worth dying for.
He question remains: Is this war in Georgia the right war for America? First, let me say that as I write it has not yet erupted into a full blown war and I hope that it does not. America can no longer live in the modern world with a policy of isolationism. “Only the dead know the end of war.” No matter how much we seek to avoid it, war will eventually come to us. The only choice we have is will we fight it on our terms or someone else’s. Today let me emphasize, today America is still the greatest superpower the world has ever known. Russia chose to strategically fight a war that forces America to act or lose its credibility in the world. If we lose our credibility it will embolden every thug in the world. It will then be only a matter of time before we fight a greater war on someone else’s terms. Pray for our president, a man appointed by God for such a time as this.