As always a two minutes silence is held at 11 am today. Many, but not all, throughout the nation stopped for two minutes to 'remember.' I dug out some photos of graves of local men, this one, Fred Bonner, he lies buried in the town cemetery. He was wounded during December 1916 and landed in hospital in Huddersfield. You were sent to any hospital that could take you at that time. During February he developed Blood Poisoning, quite common at the time, there was no Penicillin until later, and died aged a mere 20 years.
It is strange that when you are 20 you consider yourself a man, when you are somewhat older you consider being 20 very young. A very young age to die. It has however, always been the way that soldiers, from time immemorial, have ranged from 18 - 25 years of age. Certainly many fight on for many years, little option for most, I think the Greek states consider you military age when between 18 and 60, and everyone had to enlist. But 20 is a young age to die, especially slowly and in pain. Fred was buried, surrounded by friends and family near home. His brother also died.
Where is Jesus when there is a war on?
He is right there in the middle of it!
Jesus warned that 'Wars and rumours of wars' would continue, God is well aware of the sin in this world that allow such things. We all know where it comes from, our human nature! We all possess the same fallen nature. Only the death and resurrection of Jesus can save us from this.
Two major wars, many, many other was since then, several still ongoing today, Ukraine, Syria, Democratic Congo, Cameroon, and other wars small and large awaiting their opportunity. Maybe we ought to cease asking "Where is God in war?" and just give him thanks that without his Holy Spirits control things would be a great deal worse for us all.
