THE STATE OF OUR HEARTS

Expressed By Our Actions

World War I (1914–1918): ~15–20 million killed World War II (1939–1945): ~70–85 million killed Korean War (1950–1953): ~2.5–3 million killed Vietnam War (1955–1975): ~2–3 million killed Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988): ~500,000–1 million killed Afghanistan conflicts (1979–2021): ~2 million+ killed Iraq War (2003–2011): ~200,000–500,000 killed Syrian Civil War (2011–present): ~500,000–600,000 killed Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022–present): ~300,000–500,000 killed Iran protests crackdown (Jan 2026): ~36,500 killed in two days Israel–Gaza war (Oct 2023–present): ~72,000–75,000 Palestinians killed, ~2,000 Israelis killed Other 20th–21st century wars (Africa, Asia, Latin America): millions more killed

Reflection

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9). From Cain’s murder of Abel (Gen. 4:8) to nations waging war, history reveals the corruption within humanity. Jesus Himself declared, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts — murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matt. 15:19). The massacres, abuses, and injustices of our age are not anomalies but evidence of hearts estranged from God. Yet the gospel proclaims: “I will give you a new heart” (Ezek. 36:26). Only divine renewal can overcome human depravity.

This straight line of numbers is a lament across history: from the trenches of World War I to the bombed streets of Gaza, from Vietnam’s jungles to Iran’s massacres, humanity has lost well over 100 million lives in modern wars and crackdowns. Each figure is not just a statistic — it is a cry for justice, a reminder that God’s word about vindication and salvation must be heard in every nation.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!