“Thus says the Lord, ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted…because they are no more’” (Jeremiah 31:20).
It’s happened again in our land: tragedy and terror on a widespread scale. Lives lost or derailed, many innocent, but not all. Others begin the journey into pain and longing as loved ones are maimed, or worse. We are becoming accustomed to this scene.
While national debates about gun laws continue, a cry is rising among us. It’s the sound of bitter weeping and lamentation. It’s the justified expression of a people refusing to be comforted. World events are being played out on the screens of our minds and in our media. There is no escaping their impact.
We all seem to know someone connected to these cataclysmic events of recent times: explosions in West, Texas, tornadoes in Mississippi (again), widespread wildfires in the western states (2012), Aurora Theater and school shootings, Boston Marathon bombings. And that’s just in this country. Ask friends or family and they may admit, “The circle is tightening at an accelerating rate.”
The prophet Jeremiah warned of coming heartbreak for his people. He told of judgment, “a sweeping tempest,” in response to wickedness. Israel, before the Babylonian captivity, got a taste of it. But the Bible talks of a future time, the culmination of life on earth, when the forces of good and evil will do battle one final time.
But what about now? What are we to do in the face of this new climate of unease and disequilibrium? How do we and our children survive what seem like random acts that bring destruction to all corners?
The Bible tells of a people who, though chastened by their adversaries, “found grace in the wilderness” and “survived the sword…to have their fortunes restored and their mourning turned to joy” (Jeremiah 31). But this happens only in taking the long view.
For this time, however, we will see more evidence of evil among us. Man and nature will continue to be at odds. Yet, we live as though this isn’t true for us. The prophet Daniel also spoke of perilous times. He called it “the abomination of desolation,” which Jesus, Himself, referred to when He told of His second coming at “the end of the age” (Matthew 24:15, 3).
Jesus said, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…and because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold…for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall…Behold, I have told you in advance” (v. 8, 12, 21, 25).
The thing to do, it seems to me, is know what Scripture teaches about the world we are living in and what the future holds. The prophets and apostles have written of such things to be understood and acknowledged. Everything else is short-sighted and misguided.
God has shown us His love in His Son. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come” (v. 14). In the midst of evil and catastrophe God is redeeming a people unto Himself. We can hear their stories, but not usually in the media.
On other continents in distant lands, not just our own, God is ushering in His kingdom into hearts formerly darkened by self and sin. In places of natural disasters, workers have come to rebuild properties as well as lives. This is the work of the gospel in our times.
And one day, perhaps sooner than we can imagine, the climax will come and the weeping will cease for those who wait: “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet…and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…with power and great glory” (v. 31, 30).
Jesus further instructs, “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (v.32-33). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (v.35).
Come, Lord Jesus
When we’re frightened and downcast because our hearts and minds are gripped by images and a barrage of newscasts retelling horrors, tell us Your words again, Lord. Tell us what these things mean and how we can move through our times.
Remind us of those around us who are not bent on evil. Show us the face of kindness and decency in our neighbors. Hold us close when our world is rocked by loss and suffering. When the wild winds of change turn in our direction, sweep us up into Your arms and don’t let go.
Let us bury our tear-streaked faces in Your embrace. Or let us cry with those we love whose own circumstances have been altered in an instant. Catch our tears and feel our sorrow, but also lift us up again by Your power and grace. Comfort, care, and create new life according to Your promises which cannot fail. Lord, our only Rock and Refuge, Amen.
A Redeemer
There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One.
Thank You, oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'til the work on earth is done.
-Keith Green
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