I wasn’t that interested in history at school. I did not have any favor with the history teacher. I have since learned the importance of learning about the past.

My favourite history book is the Bible. I love reading it. It tells the history of mankind. Man is created in God’s image. God gave us guidelines on how to live together. He gave marriage for man and women to enjoy. He gave marriage for children to be born and raised with parents to care for them. It tells the genealogy of one family in particular, Abraham’s family, covering many hundreds of years till the coming of one of his descendants, Jesus Christ.

It is a love story. It shows the care and kindness of God who looked after mankind. He blessed Abraham’s descendants even though they didn’t always thank or appreciate Him. Yet He forgave them and waited patiently till they responded to His love.

It is a thriller. The Bible records battles and wars. Men going to fight their enemies. The good news is when the people fought God’s battles they always won because God was with them. Joshua and the tribes of Israel always defeated their enemies when they followed God’s guidance. None of David’s soldiers died in battle. They always won their wars.

Today we remember the men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars. Many millions died from the nations. They died in the fight against evil.

On Sunday I was listening to an interview with two Jewish men who live in Ireland. My son was listening with me. He was not aware of what happened to ordinary families during the war; families like his own. Young men like him went to fight in the war.

I told my son that people in Europe were living at ease before the world war. They were enjoying prosperity, music, theatre, eating and drinking. They did not honor God or care for the poor and needy. Sounds a familiar scenario of our society today. . Revolution occurred in Russian and Germany. Leaders rose up and controlled their countries killing many of their own people who didn’t agree with them.

Telling the story of the Holocaust of six millions Jews and others who were killed during the Second World War helps one realise what evil mankind can do. Many millions of Christians and soldiers died in the war. It’s good to remember today the people who have lived and died before us for us to enjoy freedom

My generation was born after the Second World War. I did not have to suffer the hardships of people who lived during those years. I did not know that part of history. We have lived at ease. We have had good health care, plenty of food and clothing, good housing and free education. We have had it so good. We have become selfish. We don’t want to make any sacrifices.

Another holocaust is happening in our prosperous nations today. The law allows developing human beings to be killed in the womb. The innocent are being sacrificed instead of the parents making sacrifices to have their young. This is the new evil one needs to fight against.

Let us learn from history the consequences of war, hatred and selfishness. Let us do good to others who need help. Let us fight our spiritual enemies. We are sure of victory if we fight The Lord’s battles like David and Joshua did.