“….In the
world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
December 14 is a day that will be burned forever
in our hearts and will be a question mark in our minds until such a time that
we can God face to face. I am sure the day started for most like any other, but
I am just as certain there was one or two led to pray for that day. As the
world watched helplessly to find out just what had happened, how many were
injured or dead and why someone would do such a thing in a seemingly innocent
place, I am certain there were prayer warriors and intercessors all over crying
out for the families, staff, responders and even the nation. Even as I read and
became angered by the thoughts and words of careless people on social media
sites and news reports online, the two messages that came across clear was for
us as believers, not to be discouraged but to encourage others and that in this
world, it is very certain that we will see and feel pain, have trials and death
but we need to take heart because He has already overcome this wicked world! I
saw one cry from many and that was how could God let this happen? Dear hearts,
God did not “let” this happen, we did. We have become so complacent in our pews
and drama free lives that we walked away from our First Love and allowed Him to
be “taken out of the schools” because we didn’t want to ruffle feathers. As few
of us as there seem to be, our voice, our cries are loud when in unison with
the angels and the voice of God Himself crying out for His children to wake up!
When will we take a stand? We will not change the outcome of the sentence for
this wicked world. We will not stop violence or vile things that are being
done, but we can surely bring more to salvation and help them turn from their
wicked ways if we would only hear God’s cry for us to turn from ours.
Two years ago, December 4th, my world
was rocked again when on the news I heard of the disappearance of a beautiful
young lady who was a former youth at my old church. I loved this young lady,
her mom and her younger brother like my own family. I had been out of touch
with her mom for quite some time as I went through a valley or two of my own
but she was one of the first to encourage my writing. I tried furiously to find
her information so that I could be there for her but God led me to just pray. She
was never found and I am back in contact with her mom but still wonder where
she is, if she is okay, is she held against her will, was she one of the youth
that were taken for a teen human trafficking ring where kids were abducted and
forced into prostitution. I even find myself looking for her when driving or in
a store from time to time. (Tyler Thomas is her name and she is 22 now) But as
scary an ordeal that is and unfathomable for a parent to not know where their
child is, Jesus has already overcome.
It’s a hard concept to accept at times, I will be
the first to admit, but at the same time it is so comforting to know that we
win no matter how much hurt, pain, trials, brokenness, sickness and death we
witness or go through, we win. It’s a very sobering thought when you are in the
midst of trials. I am recently coming to that realization and settling my
thoughts on this and every time I have a valley to walk through, I remember
that Jesus has already been there and for me, won.
Meditate on this promise today. Learn the meaning
of the words in Greek and what Jesus meant by them. Continue to pray for all
families, the community and those first responders who had to pull out the
little bodies from that school on Friday. Pray that this will awaken them to a God,
who hurts when we hurt, catches every tear when we cry and longs for us to be
in relationship with Him so that when this world is gone, we can be with Him
with “no more crying” forever.
Dear Lord, thank You for being a sovereign God, a
God in control and firmly planted on Your Throne. Would You breathe down on
those who are affected by this past week’s tragedies a breath of comfort and
peace? Would You ignite in Your people a hunger not for the world’s justice but
Yours? Lord would You use this to call those to salvation and repentance so
that we can go out into this harvest which is ready and bring them to You?
Cover us, Lord and be our Comforter when the time comes. Put urgency in our
hearts and a desire that comes from You as well as boldness and courage! In
Jesus name. Amen!
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