How are you? How is your week going?
It was during our Hurricane Harvey interest meeting this past Sunday when I found out about the shooting at First Baptist Church in the small town of Sutherland Springs, TX. Devin Kelley shot and killed 25 people, including 8 children and an unborn child. These victims are not just numbers. These are people with names and stories. These are Christians, like you and me.
This past Sunday, we looked at the Parable of the Persistent Widow. Jesus gave this parable to teach us one simple truth: we are to always pray and not lose heart. He taught this truth in the context of the Last Day.
The Last Day will come like a thief in the night. Glory will come for God’s people. Perfection will come. But it’s not here yet. Redemption has already come. Victory over sin has already come in Jesus Christ.
But the truth is that we still live in a broken world with broken people, while being broken ourselves. How do we live in such brokenness? We are to pray persistently and not lose heart, like this widow.
How can we not lose heart in the midst of such tragedy? How can we not be discouraged in the face of such sorrow? Our confidence lies in the love of the Father. For if this unjust judge gave justice to the unnamed widow, how much more will our heavenly Father give justice to His beloved children!
We may not see the reasons why. We may not understand the circumstances around us. But we know that God works all things for the good of those who love Him according to His purpose.
This is guaranteed to us through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He took on the justice for our sins so that we may receive the justice for His obedience. The suffering that we experience is not for our sins (since Jesus paid it all) but for our good.
Do we mourn? Yes. Do we weep with others? Yes. Are we burdened by the brokenness in this world? Yes. But that is not all that we do. Through the hope of the gospel, we are to always pray and not lose heart.
See you at Lord’s Day worship this Sunday. We will partake of the Lord’s Table so please do prepare your hearts as we approach it.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
PC: https://www.thedailybeast.com/deadliest-church-shooting-in-american-history-strikes-sutherland-springs-texas