Senseless Loss
Just a few short months ago on November 12th, 2017, we spoke about whether or not God abandons us in tragedy. We were discussing the horrific event that had occurred the prior Sunday, 11/5, at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church in Texas. Over 25 people lost their lives that day including the Pastor’s daughter as well as the shooter.
This past Wednesday, Valentine’s Day (the 14th of February), 19-year old Nikolas Cruz, a seriously troubled teenager walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and ruthlessly gunned-down 17 people, killing them and wounding 14 others.
His motives are still unclear but we’re now surrounded by speculation, doubt in God and a serious lack of trust in our government. This is not a time for speculation or judgement but a time for Brotherly love, compassion and prayers for all those that remain with us.
The Origins of Evil
The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about evil; in fact, it calls evil a mystery or “secret” that God hasn’t chosen to reveal to us…
2 Thessalonians 2:7 – “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”
Someday in heaven we’ll understand where evil came from and why God allowed it to exist — but it simply isn’t time yet.
The Bible does, however, tell us the story of Adam and Eve and all of us know how that turned out. Eve was tempted by the Devil… The Fall and Original Sin
Genesis 3:1-5 – “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’
The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’
‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”
So, Adam and Eve, against God’s will took the fruit from the forbidden tree. No, they did not “die” but all things were then revealed to them just as Satan told them it would.
The perfect paradise that God had prepared for them was now a place of evil as Adam and Eve had let the Devil into the world that God had given them. He then cast them out and this, as some would say, was the introduction of evil.
All of this evil, we know, certainly did not come from God, it came from Man, from us, after we had sinned against God.
The Broken Hearted
Why did I bring-up the topic of evil? Well, certainly this act was not an act of God or a Godly person. This was clearly the works of the Devil… of evil, and it is so important for us to remember that Satan will use these types of situations to tear at our faith and steal us away from God.
I found a book, written by Jimmy Evans and Frank Martin. It is called When Life Hurts: Finding Hope and Healing from the Pain You Carry. In it, this quote really stuck out at me:
Tragedy can give Satan a powerful foothold in our lives. It’s during times of pain and vulnerability that he can do the most damage. But it’s also during such times that God can do the most good. Just as Satan uses tragedy to tear us away from God, God uses tragedy to draw us nearer. It’s the ultimate two-edged sword. Pain can easily alienate us from God, but it can also make us lean on God even more.
The survivors of these victims are so vulnerable right now. How could this had happened to us? How could God do this? Seems like justifiable questions, don’t they?
We, as Christians and believers know, this was not an act of God. It is important that we remind ourselves of this and also make sure others are aware of the same. God will bring peace to those crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18-19 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all”
God knows, it is told to us very clearly here, “the righteous person may have many troubles,” but we need to remember where to turn should they arise. Always keep this verse in Psalm alive in your heart as the Psalmist was very aware that our troubles may be many, but God will never abandon us.
Ignoring the Signs
Once again, and terribly unfortunate, the signs were ignored. This troubled child had a terrible past himself and his history was well-known.
- His adopted Father had died years ago and adopted Mother just recently had passed. He had great difficulty dealing with that loss.
- His school history of misbehaving and acting badly was ignored as he was simply expelled but yet nothing done to seek help for him.
- The government was warned last November of his doings but it was dismissed.
- This past January, the FBI had received notification that he was brutal and potentially a “school shooter/killer. The FBI has already admitted this downfall and made its’ apologies to the families but, again, far too late.
I am making no excuses for what was done and I cannot even pretend to know what should have been done to prevent it. I’m only asking that we keep ourselves aware of such behavior and seek-out help when we don’t know what we should do ourselves.
Recognize the signs when you can; say something to someone; if you don’t know who to say something to, ask a fellow Brother or Sister in Christ. If something seems wrong, it probably is!
Don’t Be as the Others – Remain in God’s Good Favor
We hear so many people today analyzing what happened and what could have or should have been done to prevent it. We hear the criticisms, blame, lashing out at local and national governments. We, as Brothers and Sisters in Christ, should remain without opinion or, at least, keeping them to ourselves and asking God to help those decision makers to do the right thing… whatever that may be. The book of James tells us…
James 4:11-12 – “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
Remembering God’s Promise
It is important for us, in these times, to remember what God has promised us. It is also important to know that these children, as well as the adults that perished with them, have been granted God’s gift in the Holy Kingdom. Need I read the verse?
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
One thing we can receive comfort in knowing, these innocent people were carried to Heaven from the moment their vessels died.
Hebrews 1:14 – “Are not all Angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
Yes, the Angels were there throughout the entire tragedy ministering to these victims and carrying their souls to Heaven where Jesus told us we would go, for as He said…
John 14:1-2 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
Rest assured, as Christ had promised us, these poor people have received their “room.” They are filled with the Holy Spirit, sitting with The Son in the Kingdom of The Father.
Pray for the Survivors
You and I, we understand, once our “vessels” have expired and we leave this world to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we will be at great peace. The Love and compassion that we will receive are greater than we could ever imagine here on earth.
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
We understand this well, and our fear of death here on earth is minute. We know where we’ll be going and how the great glory of The Lord will be revealed to us.
Let’s face it though, when we lose someone here, we miss them terribly. We still want to look in their eyes, hold their hands and stroke their hair but, sadly, this isn’t possible here so we mourn as we justly should but, understand, we WILL be together again someday.
So, for those who might not have our strength, I ask you to pray. Ask that God help them understand their loved-one’s peace and how they’re being cared for and comforted ever so greatly. Give now of yourselves and pray to strengthen the hearts of the weary.
Give of Your Hearts Freely
We never know when these types of tragedies may occur; when someone may pass unexpectedly; when we ourselves will be called to Heaven. This is one major reason why we must remember to give of our hearts freely and often.
Remember what we are taught in…
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 – “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.”
Give of your hearts freely, Love one another always as Christ gave us the 11th commandment just as He gave His disciples…
John 13:14 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
Do this always that we might live without regret, serve our Lord’s purpose and earn our just rewards in Heaven.
Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!