The Lord will remember them
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54 (NIV)
My paternal grandfather would be about 120 years old if he were alive today. He was an underage teen recruit signed up to fight in World War One. Like many underage boys he was ready to respond to the national call of 1914: ‘Your country needs you!’ As an adventurous and spirited youngster from a poor, heavily industrial region, he was tempted by the opportunity to escape the hardship of the coal mining valley town where he lived.
Unsurprisingly, any thoughts of excitement and adventure soon turned to terror and despair in the muddy death traps of the frontline trenches. For my grandfather his escape from this hell came in the shape of a serious bullet wound. His war was over; ironically, being shot saved his life. How desperate! Suffice to say that so many people of that generation endured incredible hardship.
It is fitting and sobering to remember the countless thousands who lost their lives in wars and the millions who were impacted by their loss. It is understandable that some regard life as meaningless when they reflect on how abysmal human life and conflict can be. Consider, of those alive now, probably all will be gone in 120 years’ time. One ponders if life is a dream or is it real? Our lives are ‘like fleeting shadows’ (Job 14:2).
However, for the Christian believer there is more. We put our trust in God and Jesus Christ our Saviour who died once for all (Romans 6:9-11). This understanding offers hope (Hebrews 6:18-19) and in time this hope will be fulfilled, and the last enemy – death – will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). This is a hope we can share now. There is a Redeemer: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (Job 19:25). Just think, no more war, death, sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4). Oh, give thanks!
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, you know that this is a time of sober reflection when we consider the terrible loss of life in past conflicts. We look to you for comfort, wisdom and guidance in our daily lives, to be an antidote to conflict. Come Lord Jesus come. Amen.
Study by Kevin Harris
About the writer:
Kevin Harris attends the Watford congregation
of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford
Herts.
WD24 7HF
Meeting time:
Saturday 11am
Local congregational contact:
George Henderson
Email: watford@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church