Disaster and Disappointment

It is difficult to appreciate how hard it must be to have served in the defence forces in Afghanistan, or to be in their family, only to see the tragic fall to the Taliban this week.

Our soldiers sought to protect and defend a nation from a group of people who claim inspiration from the Koran to drive them to abuse women and use violence to persecute people of a different faith.

It is a sad reminder that life on earth will never deliver true joy and peace whilst sin continues to impact every part of life.

We must set our eyes on things above, focusing ourselves on the life that is to come as we await the return of Jesus.

Yet, in the meantime, it is right for us to defend those who suffer abuse at evil hands, and to take comfort that justice and judgement is coming one day.

For the members of our allied forces, is may feel that the last twenty years have been in vain, and yet in the process of seeking justice and protecting the innocent, there has been a demonstration of God’s just character.

However, we must be reminded afresh that life on earth will never be like heaven, and so we should continue to love and serve as we point people to the hope that is found only in Christ in his kingdom.

Earthly kingdoms will rise and fall, but the kingdom of God will not pass away.

The victory of King Jesus on the cross, shown with his powerful resurrection from the dead, is both the means of and the evidence for the power of God and our confidence in the life that is to come.

Let us pray for Afghanistan, and let us pray for the speedy return of Jesus, who will come to judge the living and the dead.

JODIE McNEILL     

(Photo credit: Silvia Alessi via Flickr)