“Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.” (Psalm 6:2, NASB95)
Yesterday First Baptist Church, Sutherland, TX was riddled with bullets and almost everyone in attendance was either killed or seriously injured. Nearly 24 hours later there are no answers to the question everyone is asking, ‘Why?’ The gunman, dead either by his own hand or the actions of a neighbor to the church, cannot answer for his actions. As pastor of a similar size congregation (what is truly the ‘normal’ size of churches) my bones ache for the community where this unspeakable tragedy occurred.
My bones ache because of the deep hurt visited on that community. My bones ache because far too recently a gunman opened fire on concert-goers in Las Vegas killing and injuring dozens.
My bones ache because a man drove a truck into a crowded New York City sidewalk just last week killing five and injuring scores more.
My bones ache because no matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many regulations the government issues the sheer power of evil at work will not be tamed by laws and regulations.
“…my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O Lord—how long?” (Psalm 6:3, NASB95)
Indeed, Lord, how long must we wait for the ultimate confrontation between the presence of God and the forces of evil?
My soul is dismayed for the families in my community who are experiencing the pain and heartbreak connected with the opioid epidemic.
My soul is dismayed for the family whose teenage child died of suicide recently.
My soul is dismayed because the flow of information and the pace of the news cycle makes it difficult for the families impacted by the tragedies of daily life to grieve.
My soul is dismayed because the conversation so quickly turns in ways that appear to minimize the grief and hurt of those who bear the brunt of the pain.
O Lord, how long?
WINSTON COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 