I suppose by now most everyone has heard about the shooting in the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a small close-knit farming community. Monday morning the death toll stood at 27, but many more were injured, some critically. The gunman’s motive turned out to be a personal one not a religious one. But that doesn’t change much for the dead or injured, or their grieving families
I heard one news broadcaster say Sunday evening that except for perhaps daycare centers, a church is the softest of targets. People come to pray and worship, they leave their doors open and invite strangers into their midst. He’s right. Few have armed guards or metal detectors. And yes, we do invite strangers into our midst. There is no pre-screening of candidates for salvation’s invitation.
As American Christians we have enjoyed relative safety and freedom for centuries. But lately there seems to be a shift in that environment. Recently, I even received an invitation for a seminar on employing security measures in churches. There are probably things we can do, but shy of locking our doors or stationing armed guards at the entrance, I doubt we can guarantee safety. But we cannot be afraid either.
The evil in this world wants us afraid, afraid to meet, afraid to bring our message of Christ’s salvation to others. The enemy would have the voice of God’s church silenced. As I prayed for Sutherland Springs I was reminded of Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging….
The Lord Almighty is with us, The God of Jacob is our fortress. [vs 1-3, 11 NIV]
Father, You alone are our refuge and our strength. It matters not what man does to us in this life, we trust that in You we are safe and secure.
