War in Iraq

As our nation's leaders began to talk of going into Iraq, I had several doubts. First of all, since when does democracy get established from the outside in? And by force? Given the make-up of Iraq, the several people-groups that comprise the population, the possibility of a cohesive constitutional government arising after Saddam was taken out was very slim. Yet we seemed to place all bets on this happening.

Another problem I had was that it was not a clear-cut war against aggression toward our nation. Romans 13 says that our civil government is to avenge acts of wickedness. Gary North points out that it says, "acts of wickedness," and that going to war in the face of threats is not backed by Scripture. He was speaking during the Cold War, but the principal is the same. Going to war based on a perceived threat is wrong.

I believe Pat Robertson had it right when he warned President Bush to not go to war against Iraq because it "would be disastrous and messy." I don't listen to Robertson very often, but I believe time is proving him right.

Yet given all this, we are still in Iraq and we need to know what to do now. Al Qaeda is also in Iraq now, so our true enemy is there and pulling out may not be smart. Al Qaeda is also fighting an enemy within Islam - the Shiites - themselves, setting the stage for an implosion in the Muslim world. I don't pray for this to happen, I would pray that God's Spirit be poured out in the Middle East. Yet radical Islam is evil, and God will not bless evil. "If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." Isaiah 1:19-20 This verse applies to everyone, as God is no respector of persons. Intercession is the key to bringing down Islam, just as it was key to bringing an end to Communism in Europe. Intercession can also bring revival to the United States, which it desperately needs.