The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked. The one who loves violence, His soul hates. (vs.5)
Yesterday was an absolutely stunning day at the beach. I had gotten home earlier than usual from work, so I hurriedly donned my work-out digs and hit the sand for a power walk. Dolphins were playing in the same waves close to the beach as the surfers were. The breeze was light, the sun hot, and everyone was smiling. So, when I heard the keening of the fire engines and saw their blinking lights as they raced down Pacific Coast Highway, they seemed incongruous with the lovely day. I wondered about the wreck that must be down the road toward Long Beach.
Shattering the crystalline air of our October summer day, however, were gunshots in Seal Beach. A madman with a violent purpose in his heart opened fire on his ex-wife in the beauty salon where she worked, killing her and at least seven others. Randomly. Just mad. Deserved the release that killing brought. She had been unfair in the child custody proceedings, in his mind. So, kill her. And anyone else he felt like taking out in the moment. Evil. On his way out, just shoots a man in a Land Rover because it feels good to get it all out of his system....and I am walking along the beach feeling so blessed to be alive on this perfect Wednesday.
God saw. And God hates this! His very soul hates this! That encouraged me today because I keep wishing someone had shot the shooter! It seems unjust that he is walking around alive today, even in a jail cell, when he has been judge and jury for the innocent. Upon the wicked He will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous. (vs. 6 - 7a) Hell forever. Starting now, and forever. God knows this man's way and his secret intentions. Our God hates what he did! Knows what he deserves. And He does what is right. Because the Lord tests both those who love Him and those who are wicked.
The word for test is bachan which means to examine, to try, to prove. As in the testing of metals. God is determined to purge away the dross to leave us pure. To grow us up into spiritual maturity. We do this with our kids if we are at all interested in being good parents. We teach them something valuable. Do not lie. What do we do when they lie? We purge that out of them as best we can because they will be cruel and treacherous in this world if they continue that behavior. It would be our desire to help them replace lying with a great love of the truth. So, our Father does with us. Testing us. Making us pure gold.
The man who slaughtered yesterday is also examined by the King of Everything. Be assured that his shattering of the glory of a perfect day - his violent taking of lives - will not go unpunished. God is not mocked. But in His great mercy, may He surround the families of those who have lost so much, including this man's only son who is now without a mother and a father, with the grace of great comfort in the knowledge that a holy God will pour out His wrath on people who love violence and that He cares for the widows and orphans this shooter has created.
Yesterday was an absolutely stunning day at the beach. I had gotten home earlier than usual from work, so I hurriedly donned my work-out digs and hit the sand for a power walk. Dolphins were playing in the same waves close to the beach as the surfers were. The breeze was light, the sun hot, and everyone was smiling. So, when I heard the keening of the fire engines and saw their blinking lights as they raced down Pacific Coast Highway, they seemed incongruous with the lovely day. I wondered about the wreck that must be down the road toward Long Beach.
Shattering the crystalline air of our October summer day, however, were gunshots in Seal Beach. A madman with a violent purpose in his heart opened fire on his ex-wife in the beauty salon where she worked, killing her and at least seven others. Randomly. Just mad. Deserved the release that killing brought. She had been unfair in the child custody proceedings, in his mind. So, kill her. And anyone else he felt like taking out in the moment. Evil. On his way out, just shoots a man in a Land Rover because it feels good to get it all out of his system....and I am walking along the beach feeling so blessed to be alive on this perfect Wednesday.
God saw. And God hates this! His very soul hates this! That encouraged me today because I keep wishing someone had shot the shooter! It seems unjust that he is walking around alive today, even in a jail cell, when he has been judge and jury for the innocent. Upon the wicked He will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous. (vs. 6 - 7a) Hell forever. Starting now, and forever. God knows this man's way and his secret intentions. Our God hates what he did! Knows what he deserves. And He does what is right. Because the Lord tests both those who love Him and those who are wicked.
The word for test is bachan which means to examine, to try, to prove. As in the testing of metals. God is determined to purge away the dross to leave us pure. To grow us up into spiritual maturity. We do this with our kids if we are at all interested in being good parents. We teach them something valuable. Do not lie. What do we do when they lie? We purge that out of them as best we can because they will be cruel and treacherous in this world if they continue that behavior. It would be our desire to help them replace lying with a great love of the truth. So, our Father does with us. Testing us. Making us pure gold.
The man who slaughtered yesterday is also examined by the King of Everything. Be assured that his shattering of the glory of a perfect day - his violent taking of lives - will not go unpunished. God is not mocked. But in His great mercy, may He surround the families of those who have lost so much, including this man's only son who is now without a mother and a father, with the grace of great comfort in the knowledge that a holy God will pour out His wrath on people who love violence and that He cares for the widows and orphans this shooter has created.
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