Those Who Care

(Credit: Boston Globe)

 Since yesterday, April 15th, the hearts of those who have warm human blood flowing through their veins have grieved, ached and cried over the pain and loss of the many in Boston, Massachusetts who have even greater reason to grieve, ache and cry than we do.

Our minds are numb as we unsuccessfully try to understand the mentality of those who have not warm but cold blood in their veins and, seemingly, only desire to do evil. We do not comprehend such behavior other than that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer.17:9) 

When I was about five years old I had my first exposure to death. We used to stop by the house of a young couple with their baby girl to give them a ride to church. One day the young mother heated up a pot of water, preparing to give the baby a bath but the one-year-old pulled the pot of boiling water over onto herself and died. My parents thought it best that I go to the funeral. When I walked into the church for the service, I saw the young mother sitting on a bench in the back of the church, as far away from the tiny coffin as she could get. She of course was crying, her head bent over, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Amazing, the details that a five-year-old can remember.




(Credit: Reuters)

During this funeral, the song "Does Jesus Care?" was sung. It probably was not the first time I'd heard it but it is the first time I remember hearing it. Almost every time I hear it or think of the words I remember this incident, one of my very earliest memories.

Does Jesus care in the midst of this tragedy in Boston? Does God care that three lives were snuffed out and that many more are in acute physical pain while their loved ones are in acute emotional and mental pain? Do we care that they are in pain? Oh yes, Jesus does, God does and we do.

And we pray for them because there is little else that we can do and because we know that God answers prayer.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

His Comfort For Our Comfort

We are all sharing in the heartache and grief of the families and friends of the 26 victims in the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. No words can describe the thoughts and emotions regarding this unspeakably senseless act.  Having been committed at this time of the year when those thoughts and emotions are (or should be) centered on the beautiful Christmas story...seems even more tragic and senseless.

To the people of Newtown...

We cry tears, hot tears, for your pain.
We give you warm mental hugs in our effort to comfort you.
We pray fervent prayers that you will somehow find peace and comfort in these hours when such things seem way beyond your capacity to find.
And we offer to you the following verses from the One who knows best how to be by your side through it all...
 

Remembering 9/11

(photo: internet)

On that infamous morning of September 11, 2001 we were in Brazil. I was ironing clothes in our living-room and my husband was in a store buying this very computer that I am using as I write this. Then a friend nearby phoned to inform me of what had happened in NYC. We were so far away, geographically, from what was happening but our hearts and minds were right next to them-our people in our country. Over the next several days and weeks we very often heard the phrase "we will never forget" or "we will remember".

Indeed, we have much to remember and never forget...but not only regarding 9/11. Did you know that the Bible has the word "remember" (or a form of it) at least 200 times? Can it be that remembering is an important thing to do? Indeed! I would personally like to do a little Bible study regarding that word, for I would like to be reminded of those things that God wants me to remember. In my years of increasing forgetfulness, may it never be said that I forgot what He has done for me!

"I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old."  (Psalm 77:11)

                      

But God remembers, too. How wonderful this is! Many verses speak of the things that He remembers...or not, such as our sins that have been forgiven. The day will come, perhaps it has already, when many people will forget 9/11.  Not so with our God. He will always remember what needs to be remembered!

"When He maketh inquisition for blood, He remembereth them; He forgetteth not the cry of the humble."  (Psalm 9:11,12) 

A Prayer For Japan

In light of the current tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan, I would like to share this touching and powerful prayer by John Piper that I read today...                                                                                                                     

 A Prayer For Japan

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

(John Piper)