The mastermind behind the DC sniper killings is dead. John Muhammad was put to death by lethal injection earlier this week, as many of his victim's families looked on. If ever there was a reason for the death penalty, he was it! What a monster! We will never forget the panic and fear he spread throughout the Washington D.C. area in 2002. I still remember being paralysed by the Media coverage, afraid he would strike closer to home. Actually he did. He and his little punk-accomplice did shoot and kill someone in Montgomery, Alabama. That proved to be the evidence that caught the deadly duo. Can you believe that as I write these words, I am unsuccessfully fighting back tears. The reason is two-fold. The first reason is simple- I feel very sad for the families of those innocent victims. The second reason, though, is a little more complicated.
Remember the saying, "Why do we demand justice for others but grace for ourselves?" That's kind of where I am at this point. In God's eyes, their sins are no more terrible than mine. How can I judge that evil pair for what they did, when I have sinned against God just as bad. Oh, I have never murdered anyone, mind you. But I have lied, cheated, lost my temper, cussed-out people, and even more bad things than I am too ashamed to even admit. I ask for, and expect God to forgive me. Shouldn't He also forgive them? Yes. My Bible says Jesus' precious blood spilled at the Cross was sufficient for every sin-even cold-blooded, calculated murder. I read in the newspaper where one of the victim's family members said they have already forgiven the killers. Why do I have such a hard time doing the same thing? It might be normal, but it isn't healthy.
Romans 12:4 says, "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."
Oh My dear Lord, please help us to forgive. You know better than anyone just how hard that can be. Or maybe it is simple for You because You are God Almighty, richly flowing with tender Love and Mercy. But Father, please help us with it. In Jesus name, Amen.
"Let Go, Let God." Four simple words, yet extremely difficult to do sometimes. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord" ... and we just want him to hurry up! One day at a time, and keep praying :) Thank you, again, for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can not swear for sure, but I remember seeing that man about a month prior to his widespread killings at the shooting range on the Barbour County Management Area.. I was thinking how fortunate I was that he did not shoot me when I was there. I would almost bet that it was him, the photos of him match the person I saw.
ReplyDeleteAdmiting that you have sinned is the first step to forgiveness and recovery. No matter what we do he has his arms wide open waiting for us to run to him. And I should be a marathon runner by now, good devotion again ,Allen .
ReplyDeleteExactly. I get where you are coming from. I have the same problem especially when it comes to things like this and what it makes me think is, if someone who physically had it happen to them can forgive that person, why can't I? Thank you for this devotion. It touched my heart. Have a blessed weekend!!!
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