It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Psalm 44: 3 NIV
Sword
Residents of Quebec’s picturesque capital grappled with grief and shock on November 1, 2020 as they mourned the deaths of a beloved neighbourhood hairdresser and a well-respected museum employee slain in what police describe as a deliberate sword attack targeting random strangers. Impromptu vigils and makeshift memorials sprang up near the stretch of Old Quebec City where police allege a young man went on a 2 ½ hour rampage wielding a long, curved sword. Hairdresser Suzanne Clermont, 61, and 56-year-old museum employee Francois Duchesne died in the Halloween-night attack that also left five others injured.
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The history of mankind is one of war and violence. Historians record that in 3500 years of recorded human history, there have only been 268 years without war. 92% of human history has been marked by one group waring against another. The strength of a nation is too often determined by the size of the military. Even nations that are committed to peace have to build a military in order to protect themselves from belligerent neighbours. As usual, the kingdom of God is marked by something altogether different. Psalm 44:3 says “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” The follower of Jesus understands that our victory in this world comes as we trust in the Lord. One of the key principles of the kingdom of God is that we only win as we surrender to the reign of Jesus in our lives. He will then fight out battles for us, and ensure that we walk in victory today.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley