Tragedy in Connecticut

I cannot imagine what the families are experiencing who lost loved ones, especially their children, in the slaughter in Newtown, Connecticut. At Christmas time, when we are looking forward to joyous celebration and family togetherness, we are struck with tragedy in a quiet little town's elementary school. My heart goes out to the families; and I grieve at the loss of the innocents. Scripture tells us to weep with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15); and I certainly am crying with the parents of the little ones who have passed into eternity.

President Obama in addressing the situation in Newtown closed his exhortation with, "May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds." This is a quote from Psalm 147:3. What the President neglected to say was that this statement by the Psalmist was preceded with, "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." Yes, the Lord of Jerusalem heals the brokenhearted, but the inference is that the brokenhearted are praising God. If we are not lifting our nation to the Lord, then out of context quotes of Scripture are mere platitudes that make a politician look sensitive and caring, but has nothing to do with true healing.

We will now hear the pundits debating gun control and mental health. Loss within the myriad of words that will be spewed about the cause of the mass shooting will be the root cause of all the wickedness that happens in the world. The problem of evil is a heart condition that permeates a society that is legislating God out of the forum. We hear constantly from a large section of America, "Don't legislate your morality on me." What has occurred is ironic, for what has been made into law is "all kinds of immorality" for which an evil generation lobbies. Those of us who follow Jesus are now forced to submit to laws that violate our Christian lifestyle. Isaiah warned those who call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5:20), for if we pursue our dark side, then woe awaits. If our society is now redefining evil as good, no wonder we have travesty in our country.

If there is any consolation, it is what Isaiah has said about the death of the righteous. In other words, why do the good die young? The answer is to protect them from evil days ahead (Isa. 57:1). And if there is more evil to befall our nation, then more than ever America needs Jesus. A revival is the only thing that will curb wickedness and bring about good. But woe to those who now claim as good what Scripture explicitly declares to be evil.