June 12 ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
…then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I have to wonder if after a horrific event like the mass shooting in Orlando this morning whether God is asking, “What was I thinking?” Yet again, someone thought he knew better how things ought to be in this world. So he targeted – and killed - as many gay people as he could. Apparently he vehemently disapproved of their sexual orientation. At least we assume that this was his motivation for such a heinous crime.
As I began to gather my thoughts around 2 Chronicles 7:14, I once again felt like God must sometimes want to wipe the earth clean of each and every one of us. And yet, I heard His voice very clearly say…”As horrible as this is…as deeply as it grieves me…it is really nothing new.” And surely, if you read the Bible or study history…or even pay attention to current events around the world…you know that senseless mistreatment of others – and even slaughter - happens more than we care to recognize. The numbers may change…these tragic events may not take place in such a public venue…or happen in the hometown of Disney World®…but people are murdered every day because someone thought he/she knew better than anyone else how things should go.
You can claim religious rights…you can try to excuse bigotry and hatred by hiding behind the name of Jesus. You can criticize, belittle and mistreat those who do not think or behave like you. You can declare them wicked, ignorant, or whatever adjective you choose. But hear this…YOU ARE NOT GOD! And your attempts to fill His shoes are not appreciated by anyone – especially Him!
Those who love God and have surrendered their hearts to Jesus do not try to control others. They love them…just as we are loved. They operate from a place of incredible humility, gratitude, and prayerfulness. They allow God to have complete control, while they share the Good News of Jesus with others in a loving, gentle and nonjudgmental manner. And here comes the big one…they forgive those who act otherwise.
So this day, as we mourn those lost in this senseless slaughter, we must pray for the families and friends of the victims. But we must also pray for the family of the shooter. We must ask God to have mercy on all of us…and to show us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus – even to those so filled with hatred that they would murder us. When those who disagree with us show us unkindness, we must “fight back” with love, grace and mercy…and we must keep demonstrating these gifts from God over and again, no matter how others respond.
We must believe that God will heal us. We must demonstrate that if we truly express to others the love of Christ - and serve Him with an unwavering level of faith and confidence…God will pour out His mercy on us and show us how to move forward. And we must begin today…in our own back yards…and in the world at large.
You and I have a choice to make about how we react to this horrible event…and the world is watching. Who will they see in our response? Will they find people who serve a God who is vengeful and endorses retaliation in the form of discrimination and mistreatment of others…or will they find evidence of a loving God who desires to heal and restore us? Pray for the people of Orlando – and throughout the world. But ask God to begin the healing in your own heart. Until we settle these issues for ourselves, we cannot possibly represent God’s love and care to others. What is your heart condition today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
…then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I have to wonder if after a horrific event like the mass shooting in Orlando this morning whether God is asking, “What was I thinking?” Yet again, someone thought he knew better how things ought to be in this world. So he targeted – and killed - as many gay people as he could. Apparently he vehemently disapproved of their sexual orientation. At least we assume that this was his motivation for such a heinous crime.
As I began to gather my thoughts around 2 Chronicles 7:14, I once again felt like God must sometimes want to wipe the earth clean of each and every one of us. And yet, I heard His voice very clearly say…”As horrible as this is…as deeply as it grieves me…it is really nothing new.” And surely, if you read the Bible or study history…or even pay attention to current events around the world…you know that senseless mistreatment of others – and even slaughter - happens more than we care to recognize. The numbers may change…these tragic events may not take place in such a public venue…or happen in the hometown of Disney World®…but people are murdered every day because someone thought he/she knew better than anyone else how things should go.
You can claim religious rights…you can try to excuse bigotry and hatred by hiding behind the name of Jesus. You can criticize, belittle and mistreat those who do not think or behave like you. You can declare them wicked, ignorant, or whatever adjective you choose. But hear this…YOU ARE NOT GOD! And your attempts to fill His shoes are not appreciated by anyone – especially Him!
Those who love God and have surrendered their hearts to Jesus do not try to control others. They love them…just as we are loved. They operate from a place of incredible humility, gratitude, and prayerfulness. They allow God to have complete control, while they share the Good News of Jesus with others in a loving, gentle and nonjudgmental manner. And here comes the big one…they forgive those who act otherwise.
So this day, as we mourn those lost in this senseless slaughter, we must pray for the families and friends of the victims. But we must also pray for the family of the shooter. We must ask God to have mercy on all of us…and to show us how to be the hands and feet of Jesus – even to those so filled with hatred that they would murder us. When those who disagree with us show us unkindness, we must “fight back” with love, grace and mercy…and we must keep demonstrating these gifts from God over and again, no matter how others respond.
We must believe that God will heal us. We must demonstrate that if we truly express to others the love of Christ - and serve Him with an unwavering level of faith and confidence…God will pour out His mercy on us and show us how to move forward. And we must begin today…in our own back yards…and in the world at large.
You and I have a choice to make about how we react to this horrible event…and the world is watching. Who will they see in our response? Will they find people who serve a God who is vengeful and endorses retaliation in the form of discrimination and mistreatment of others…or will they find evidence of a loving God who desires to heal and restore us? Pray for the people of Orlando – and throughout the world. But ask God to begin the healing in your own heart. Until we settle these issues for ourselves, we cannot possibly represent God’s love and care to others. What is your heart condition today?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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