HE MAKES WARS TO CEASE

"He maketh wars to cease..." (Psalm 46:9).

What welcome news to the child of God shattered and torn by warfare in the soul! The battle in my soul is his battle, and he alone can end it. My loving Father will not permit the flesh or the devil to bully me into defeat. My war is clearly defined by James, who wrote:

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1). These lusts include covetousness, pride and envy.

Throughout the ages, holy men of God have asked the same question, "Will the lust-war in me ever end while I am alive?" Is that not the same question being asked today by those who love the Lord completely?

The answer, of course, is that the war must and will end, and it will inevitably be followed by the greatest peace ever known. But how does the war end, and who ends it? If it is my battle and my obligation to end it, God must show me how. If it is truly his battle, then he must end it in his time and way—and give me patience while the fighting goes on, knowing he loves me through it all.

The Greek word used by James is stratenomai, which suggests a battle against carnal tendencies; a soldier at war. It is derived from stratia, which means a host, an army encamped. Didn't David speak of hosts encamped against us? Our carnal inclinations come against us as an army, an evil host determined to undermine and keep us in turmoil in hopes of shipwrecking our faith by attacking our minds with fear and unbelief.

If you study the Hebrew word for war used by David in Psalm 46:9, it becomes a cause of great rejoicing. It is milchamah which means to feed on, consume, and devour.

What the Word is actually saying to us here is simply marvelous: God is going to stop the enemy from consuming us, from devouring us. He will no longer permit lust to feed on us or overcome us. Be encouraged! God will cause our lust-war to cease. This is God’s battle—and he never loses.