On June 17, 2015, a gunman went into a church and shot and killed nine people in Charleston, South Carolina. A suspect was arrested leaving evidence on face book revealing his motives as a hate crime. Senseless. Unimaginable. Inexplicable. How do we understand the “terror of life” when the unfathomable happens? How can we endure such tragedy?
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?” (1)
The heart is prone to sin. Dayann Storm Roof radically motivated to do evil’s work; is an example of a man who possessed the detrimental effects of sin. He was motivated by evil! This act was seeping from a harden heart – hardened to sin and harden to hatred. This young man’s character is troubling. He had been arrested on trespass charges, substance abuse, and he hung out with outcast. Animosity, prejudice and hostility festering on the inside then exploded from the outside.
Let this be a warning to us of the inscrutable ways of sin. Everyone is susceptible to sin. Seeing its effects ought to turn us to seek God. Daily we are given decisions how we will live. Will we seek protection from pursuing the course of sin? Or if in sin than choose to repent and ask for God’s strength to overcome. For sins potential if not checked can perpetrate hostile reactions that have life time implications, as seen in Dayann. It gave opportunity for Satan to use him as a pawn to accomplish his ultimate purpose.
In empathy may we pray for these hurting families who lost a love one.
God’s design
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord, He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (2)
Beloved, we who love the Lord keep our hearts tender toward Him, trusting and relying on His protection. Trust holds tight to God knowing He is in control. God’s design tenderly nourishes those roots near the heart by the streams of living waters, therefore, we have no need of anxiety or fear. A fruitful life abides in the Spirit. It’s thriving on faithfulness and obedience and sees its rewards.
Lord grant us the desire and will to minister in the way You lay on our hearts, a gift, a contribution, or a simple prayer to those who are devastated by this tragedy. Help us to stay focus on You and to keep away from the pitfalls of sin. Amen
Footnotes:
1. Jeremiah 17:9
2. Jeremiah 17:7, 8
All Scriptures are cited from the rvs
Addressing Crisis Together Ministry 