Thursday, in the wake of the mass shooting in California, the New York Daily News published this front page headline:
GOD ISN’T FIXING THIS
Journalist Rick Schapiro began a related article on the paper’s website by stating, “Prayers aren’t working.” He claims prominent republicans did nothing but offer “meaningless platitudes” when they posted about prayer for the victims and their families on social media.
Two days ago, I heard about this headline on the news and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. My intention with this post is not to debate the issues of gun control or free speech or freedom of religion. Instead, I simply want to offer a rebuttal to the headline and say:
GOD IS FIXING THIS
I know that violence and hatred fill our world. But God isn’t surprised. The Bible tells us repeatedly that people will choose their own sinful way over God’s righteous way:
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their foolish hearts were darkened… They exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” Romans 2:21-24, NIV
“There is no one righteous… No one seeks God… No one does good… Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways… There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18, NIV
And the problem isn’t more than God can handle. Our God is all-powerful and sovereign. He “who made the world and everything in it” is able to “fix this.” He is the same One who made every “nation of men” and “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:24-26).
God will judge evil in His time. Jesus will come again and God will set all things right. Evil will be destroyed. Yet, God is patient. He waits because He longs for all to “come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:3-10). He holds out eternal life with Him – something far greater than this temporary world.
God is not inactive. He is calling all people to Jesus and the eternal salvation He provided. In fact, God cares so much for this world and every person in it that He sent His own Son to “fix” the mess made by sin.
That’s the real celebration of Christmas. The first coming of the Savior of the world. God come to man, as a man. Immanuel, God with us. God with us, so He could die for us. Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross provided the death penalty our sins earned (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). This is the real gift of Christmas. Eternal salvation for all who believe.
On this side of the cross, Jesus is still working. He is drawing all people to Himself, preparing for the Day when the “last enemy,” death, is destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
Today, let’s pray for the victims and their families. Let us remember the first coming of the Savior. And let us anticipate the second coming of our Savior and King, when all creation is redeemed and death is finally and forever defeated.
Lord Jesus come quickly.
I fully believe that everything in this world is a creation of God.I further know and believe that what God has created man cannot destroy !!god is love and we should love one another as Christ loves us.that is Bibical.second commandment as found in Gods wholly book.We as a people should always be aware that God is still in charge !!i get my strength from Christ who strengthens me !
Kathy,
The Word says it perfectly! Thanks for speaking up with HIS reply.
God bless you dear sister,
Marilyn
FABULOUS post. Very well said. PS: Edit Romans 3;10-18, “their” should be “there” – probably that annoying auto-correct.
Thank you Diane! And thanks for the typo catch. Totally my fault. Can’t blame auto-correct this time!