We had another tragedy this week. And this one hit theoretically close to home. A school run by a Presbyterian church in Nashville lost six people from an act of violence. All tragedies like this are painful particularly when it involves children, but this one strikes a painful chord. How do we respond to this?
Some might say you can do nothing; you have to accept evil in the world. Others might think we can eliminate anything like this from happening with the right actions. There are always actions to take for better security, and all schools and churches can take steps to become secure. It was reported that the Nashville school followed its training thoroughly and heroically, minimizing the violence that could have occurred. As Christians we can mitigate some of the consequences of evil behavior, but they cannot be eliminated.
In addition to avoiding or trying to curtail acts of violence in the world there is also the enemy of our souls that lurks – looking for someone to devour. We can take comfort that there is a foolproof way of dealing with this. The promise of John 17 is that we will be kept from the evil one.
"A Mighty Fortress is our God" is one of my favorite hymns. It is a robust declaration of trusting in Jesus during all kinds of trials and difficulties that can come our way:
Verse 1- A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Verse 2 - Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.
Verse 3 - And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.
Verse 4 - That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!
Let us turn to the Lord as we approach Easter Sunday.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)
