The Bible tells us in James 4:14 that life is but a vapor, and it can be gone instantly. However, this week the sting of this scripture can be felt after the massacre that happened at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The date of May 24, 2022 will go down in history as one of the saddest this country has faced.
There were 19 children and two teachers who lost their lives at the hands of an 18-year-old kid who was undoubtedly suffering from a severe form of mental illness. While life is forever changed for the families of these victims, the pain of such a senseless act can be felt globally. The first question that everyone asks is why would God allow these innocent people, children even, to lose their lives, and why didn’t He protect them?
The Evil at Work in the Land
It’s challenging to keep your faith during times like these, as it’s difficult for the mortal mind to understand the ways of the Father. However, He reminds you that anything good and perfect comes from above in James 1:17, but this act was nothing more than pure wickedness that was orchestrated by the evil in the world. First, you must remember that even in the Bible days, there was murder.
Remember the story of Cain and Able in Genesis 4? This was a senseless act where a rock was used to kill a sibling out of jealousy. The grief friends and family felt must have been comparable. Another instance occurred in 2 Samuel 11 when David killed Bathsheba’s husband because he wanted her for himself.
Yet, early on, God established that there were some things He didn’t control, as He gives man free will. Free will can be a good and a bad thing, as God steps back and allows some things to happen because of this choice.
Though sparse information about the shooter and his mental state is known, we can ensure that he was being driven by pure evil.
Satan’s motive is to seek, kill, and destroy, according to John 10:10-29. Even in Biblical days, there was mental illness. Remember Legion, the man in Mark 5 chained to keep himself from cutting? Indeed, he was dealing with some of the same things that we deal with today, but medical and mental health knowledge wasn’t available back then like it is now.
Additionally, the circle of life is ever moving, and as some exit the earth, others are born. It’s unfathomable for you to comprehend these senseless acts as humans feel strong emotions attached to their grief, but you must lean on the Father to help you through these times of emotional upheaval.
Weeping May Remain for The Night
The morning when the lives of these precious people were taken, they all had plans for the evening. They were going to their friends, the store, or preparing for an upcoming vacation or birthday. It shows the frailty of life and how no one is promised tomorrow.
In fact, God addresses this in His Word in Proverbs 27:1. Though the parents are reeling, on this day, the heart of America was ripped out as well. Millions of children go to school, and now parents are questioning their child’s safety.
The gunman took more than those lives that day, as he rocked the security of the education system that this country uses to teach the young. It’s effortless to get angry with God and question why He allowed this to happen. You will never know why, but it’s something you can ask Him about when you see him face-to-face.
The key is that you can’t let this destroy your faith and cause you to stumble in your walk with Christ. You must weep for those grieving right now, as stated in Romans 12:15, for they need your prayers and support. Near and far, Christians can ask God to keep his hand on these precious folks as they navigate the future without their loved ones.
All the children who perished were in one classroom, and they were between the ages of 8-10 years old, which makes this heinous act even more incomprehensible.
God Sees You
In II Timothy 3:13, the Bible tells you that evil will wax worse in this land before His second coming. Part of the reason for this is that the world has fallen into a sinful nature. It seems like a blanket explanation to describe what’s occurring in this country, but it’s truth.
It’s challenging for you to comprehend it all, so you must trust God and His master plan. There’s a sense of unrest, strive, wars, and violence. It validates what the profit said in Jeramiah 17:9 when he stated that the human heart is the most deceitful of all things. Surely, God will step on the scene soon, as times are perilous in this world.
You may be directly affected by the events in Texas, or you may just be an observer who feels profound grief for your brothers and sisters. These days, more Christians are crying out as the scripture says in Revelation 22:20” even so come quickly.”
Things are bad here, and it seems they’re only getting worse. The Bible says that the church would cry out to the heavens for God to come and save them from the mess.
Many people wouldn’t have felt the need five years ago to cry to God to save them. They would have seen some bad things, but they would keep going because life was a beautiful experience, and they had plans for the future.
Now, there’s a shift in the atmosphere. After dealing with the ongoing pandemic, the resurfacing of monkeypox, the shooting in Tops Grocery store and now the school, the church is crying for God to save them. Rest assured, God sees you.
He knows where you are in life and your journey, and He feels your heartache. He sees every tear that falls from your eyes, knowing all those hidden fears. However, the Father wants you to understand that some things must be.
Yes, some people will lose their lives in senseless acts, but this is not His doing, but it’s the evil in the world. We will never know why He doesn’t stop these things, but you know that He loves His children and desires you to be home with Him.
The Blessed Hope
While the Robb Middle School shooting events are horrific, there is hope through the tragedy. See, there is a world beyond this one, and it’s a place where peace, tranquility, and love abound. In Revelations 21:27, the Bible tells you that no sin will ever enter that land, as it’s a place He’s prepared for those who love and believe in Him.
Until He comes, you must keep fighting, praying, and loving your neighbor. You will see some bad things before the end, but you must hold onto the blessed hope. You can be sure that those beautiful children and the two teachers who lost their lives are resting with the Father. They’ve received their rewards for a life well-lived.
They get to escape this cruel world that took them away from their families, but they’re resting safely in the arms of Jesus. Their race is won, and though they will miss their families, it’s only for a short while. Soon, they will be reunited in a place of paradise with those they love and miss.
A Prayer for Pain and Loss
Jesus, it’s hard to understand how You could allow sweet, innocent children to lose their lives on this earth. However, as a Christian, I must realize that I will never know your heart or mind. I take comfort knowing these beautiful people are resting in a land where no sin can enter, but my heart hurts for the evil that remains here.
Lord, I ask You to help me with my unbelief and help me to remain strong when sometimes I struggle to believe. I am taking you at your Word, which says in Psalms 34:18 that you are close to the brokenhearted. Comfort me and my fears that this situation has caused, but more importantly, wrap the families of those who lost their lives in Your arms. Amen
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