David Jeffers November 6, 2009 You have all by now heard of the tragic shooting at Fort Hood , Texas . This vicious attack once again displays the brevity of life and the depravity of man. How can we Americans be secure if those serving our nation in the armed forces are not even safe on a military base? How do we make sense out of such a senseless act of violence?
We look to God’s Word for His wisdom.
Oh nice touch Dave, use a tragedy to take an opportunity to push your religion. Fair enough but first I am not pushing religion; I am sharing Jesus Christ and He showed us many examples of using incidents in human life to teach heavenly lessons. And turning to the Bible in times of trouble is the best place to turn. Agur, who wrote Proverbs 30, said this about God’s Word:
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)
My family and I can testify for days no doubt on the sufficiency of Christ’s grace in times of trouble. When our Eddie was killed in Iraq , while we grieved over losing him, we did not despair because we know he is with Jesus. And turning to the Bible was such a natural act because my senses were ever alert to my Lord’s teachings.
It is in the sanctuary of God’s Word that I can learn that no matter what I am facing I can always trust that God will never leave me nor forsake me. I can learn that He is still on His throne regardless the tragedies that come in life, and more importantly I can be assured that no event in my life can be for naught if I will allow the Lord to grow me in whatever comes my way. I just have to trust him.
Living in Northern California we all grew up knowing about Cardinal Newman because it was the Catholic high school in the county that was always good in football because they got many of the best players in the county. Little did I know that Cardinal Newman was actually a great conservative philosopher and theologian. John Henry Newman wrote this about trusting God.
“I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain.”
Wow! Can you allow God to use your sickness to serve Him? When you are perplexed, can you allow God to use your perplexity to serve Him? In your sorrow can you be still and know that God is God and believe your suffering might be used for some great end by God?
It is difficult to know that a man such as Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan is still alive in the hospital and many innocents are dead or wounded, their families suffering. My prayer is that those departed are with Jesus because of their faith in Him. My prayer is that Major Hasan will realize the horror he has wrought, see that his religion is one of hate and violence, reject it and accept the Prince of Peace as his personal Lord and Savior.
Many do not want that for Major Hasan; they hope he burns in hell. Beloved that is a foolish and dangerous thought. Should you find yourself wishing hell on someone that is a symptom of a heart not well. Granted, those who reject Christ regardless their crimes will indeed see judgment; the Bible is very clear on that.
“The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death.” (Proverbs 14:32)
Beloved, in our initial reactions to the tragedy of Fort Hood I have seen many emotional responses from gladness that Major Hasan had been killed to incredulity that he survived. Again, our hearts will deceive us and left unabated by righteousness we are all capable of horrific acts, that is why the Prophet Jeremiah wrote:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
One thing I can know is that God is trustworthy and because I have given my life to Jesus Christ I can never be thrown away. That brings me great comfort in these trying times in which we live. I pray that is true for you. I pray that is true for all the families of the victims. I pray that may be true one day for Major Hasan and his family.
I wish you Jesus.
Have a blessed weekend and please remember to go to church on Sunday.
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4 |
