The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. – Proverbs 21:31

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As you read the Bible, you encounter accounts of nations and people engaged in mortal conflict. The violence depicted in the Word of God has caused some to dismiss it entirely. If you adopted such an approach, you would miss critical truths about God and the world.

The Old Testament repeatedly describes the reigning culture as when “men did what was right in their own eyes.” That societal construct did not engender a world of peace; instead, such “self-righteous“ society resulted in rampant evil, bringing ruin to everything good on Earth. Yet, God took the very thing destroying humankind and used it to rescue them.

The nature of human sin results in violence, destruction, and death. But God used this to accomplish eternal grace for humanity. As Christ died at the brutal hands of a sinful world, God’s perfect justice against sin and mercy for humankind poured out, extended toward even the darkest soul. Salvation was accomplished when God defeated evil and violence! This salvation is something no person, regardless of intentions or preparedness, could achieve on their own merit. Violence in the Bible showcases how much forgiveness and mercy there is in the Lord’s salvation of us.

Today, as the world continues to brokenly pursue what is right in its own eyes, embrace God’s story of wholeness and restoration. As you read both the Old and New Testaments, look at the entire picture of the great rescue of humanity through the salvation in Jesus Christ. Pray for those governing the U.S. to accept God’s full measure of grace through Christ, leading the nation to a future of blessing.