July 24, 2020 (Friday)
I was surprised to learn that in 1929 a treaty became effective that outlawed war. It was eventually signed or ratified by 62 nations. President Herbert Hoover announced its going into effect on today’s date, July 24, 1929, 91 years ago.
It failed to prevent war for two main reasons. First, it had no provisions for enforcement. And second, three months after the president announced the treaty to the world, the stock market crashed and ushered in the Great Depression, which took center stage throughout the whole world.
After war was outlawed, the following occurred: Japan invaded Manchuria (1931); Italy invaded Ethiopia (1935); Japan invaded China (1937); Germany invaded Poland (1939); the Soviet Union invaded Finland (1939); Germany invaded Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France and attacked Great Britain (1940); and Japan attacked the United States (1941), culminating in a global war that produced the atomic bomb and more than sixty million deaths, followed by war after war right up to the present day. A piece of paper signed in Paris does not seem to have presented an obstacle to citizens of one country engaging in the organized slaughter of the citizens of other countries.
The prophet of old predicted the coming of Jesus as the Savior of the world, and “The Prince of Peace.” The angels announced his birth by declaring peace on earth among people of good will — people born anew who will love peace and practice love for one another. We have seen glimmers of that elusive peace, which will arrive when Jesus returns. Until then, we are to live in peace as far as possible and live together in love with our fellow human beings. Let us remember well the teaching of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Before we can become peacemakers, we must be at peace within ourselves by living in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Shall Reign from “Sing!”
Keith Getty / Edmond Martin Cash /
Kristyn Getty / John L. Hatton
2017
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to
Shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Blessings abound where’er He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blessed.
To our King be highest praise
Rising through eternal days
Just and faithful – He shall reign. Jesus shall reign
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early praising of His Name.
To our King be highest praise
Rising through eternal days
Just and faithful – He shall reign. Jesus shall reign
Let every creature rise and bring
Blessing and honor to our king,
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen.
To our King be highest praise
Rising through eternal days
Just and faithful – He shall reign. Jesus shall reign
To our King be highest praise
Rising through eternal days
Just and faithful – He shall reign. Jesus shall reign
Traditional Lyrics (John C. Hatton Arrangement) Old Tune
Jesus Shall Reign
Author: Isaac Watts
1719
1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head.
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
4 Blessings abound where’er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
5 Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honors to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.