2026 Daily Lenten Journey Day 9 – Humans Killing Humans
It is as old as humanity itself. Jealousy and the desire for power spoil the human heart. Hate wells up overtaking peace and joy. The ugliness of war is an ancient burden for humanity. It has been on my mind for the past few days.
As Prophet Isaiah says, the Lord “looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed.” He asked Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” The recent outbreak of war in Iran is the just the most recent example of our human failure to live in peace, with God and each other.
Today’s blog is not about whether the recent actions are good or justified. Let me be clear. No war is ever good. All war is the result of human failure to live according to God’s will. So, what does that have to do with Great Lent? Read today’s passages and I’ll share some thoughts.
Thus says the Lord: For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry! Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land. The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing: “Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant. For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.” Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening till wine inflames them! They have lyre and harp, timbrel and flute and wine at their feasts; but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands. Therefore my people go into exile for want of knowledge; their honored men are dying of hunger, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go down, her throng and he who exults in her. Man is bowed down, and men are brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are humbled. But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. – Isaiah 5.7-16
Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me this day away from the ground; and from thy face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me.” Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If any one slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him. – Genesis 4.8-15
My son, be attentive to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding; that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a loose woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not take heed to the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house; lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless; lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of an alien; and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I was at the point of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.” Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. – Proverbs 5.1-15
The Wisdom outlined today in Proverbs tells us everything we need to know about the benefit of fasting and prayer during Great Lent. “How I hated discipline!” We all struggle with these words. We want what we want, when we want it, even if it means war!
Admittedly we cannot change others. We can only change ourselves. Added prayer and fasting during Great Lent offers us the opportunity to change, but only if we listen to Wisdom. What does wisdom say? Forgive and live at peace with each other.
Pray for our leaders. Pray for those who fight our wars. Pray for those who are in harm’s way. Pray for those who lose their lives. Pray for those who rise up against us and God. Pray for those who survive, that they may forgive.
There are many who are hungry in war zones or elsewhere. Let our fast remind us of their suffering. Fast for our leaders. Fast for those who are hungry. Fast for those who steal and horde. Fast for those who survive, that they may forgive. Lastly, I invite you to fight the temptation to rationalize war. All war is evil, even if unavoidable. Humans killing humans has never been God’s will. Humans killing humans is the devil’s joy and victory. I pray our Great Lenten Journey defeats the devil and exalts the Lord.
