Insomnia has reared its ugly head again. I should be used to it by now. At least I have a few more days off work so I can get my sleeping pattern back on track. When I can't sleep, I surf the Web. I just can't believe the amount of violence that has occured over the past day or so. Nationally, I am sure you've heard about the man that attempted to blow up a jumbo jet in Detroit. He said he was working for al-Qaida. I am not sure if he really was or not, but authorities are investigating. Then I heard about a Major with the Salvation Army who was robbed in North Little Rock. He was shot and killed in front of his three young kids, ages 4, 6, and 8. Soooo sad. In Phoenix, a 5-year old girl was abducted by a man in a pick-up truck. Luckily, police caught the bad guy, and the little girl was rescued safe and sound. Locally, there was a bar fight tonight at one of the night clubs in downtown Dothan. At least three people were shot. I am not sure if any were killed, but Police had to converge on the local hospital to keep the peace and prevent a riot. What in the world is going on?
Is our society more violent today than it was in the past, or is it that we just have more News people out there covering stories? A quick look into the history of this country, and the world for that matter, will confirm people have always been violent. But I think we have reached an all-time high. We have all read of how Satan possessed people back in Bible times. There are accounts of people foaming at the mouth and writhing around uncontrollably in the streets. Satan may not possess people in the same way today, but there is no doubt that he is still hard at work. How else can one explain the unspeakable crimes that people commit, especially against innocent children? We need Jesus! And at a time when we need Him most, there is such a push to take Him out of our schools, the work place, and just about everywhere else. The further Jesus is pushed out of the picture, the higher violence seems to escalate. Coincidence? I don't think so. But no matter how bad it gets or how violent our society becomes, I truly believe that God is still in total control. And one day, He will completely remove all the violence that has infested our society. Won't that be an awesome day?
Psalm 145:20 says, "The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy."
Father, we may never understand why You allow so much violence in our world. But please remind us that You have a purpose for everything. Lord, it is really hard to keep the faith when so many bad things are happening all around us. Please help us to stay focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen.
I so agree with you, The more Jesus and God is taken out of schools and society , the more the violence will continue to escalate. This was also predicted to happen. We need to keep our eyes on the prize and just continue to worship and spread the word . I love this prayer you said at the end of your devotion.
ReplyDeleteI think we have always been violent, probably even as violent as we are today. However today there are more people, so more acts of violence. Also, the violence today is different in that it is so often the actions of individuals, acting on their own impulses, rather than tribes or nations acting violently toward each other (not that we don't still have that). Now days, violence is not limited to wars over lands or to strange religious ceremonies of human sacrifice, now days it is occurring over minor offenses like a "stolen" parking space. The whole idea of respect for human life has gone out the window. Even back in the ancient cultures who practiced human sacrifice, the act in itself showed that they believed human life had value, that was why it was, to them, a sacrifice worthy to give to their gods. Now people kill each other with no recognition of how precious life is. I think its understandable, we are told we evolved from pond scum, and are no more valuable than lab rats, we are told this from the time we enter school, if not sooner. Then we grow up and have no reason to respect life, after all, everyone else is just a glorified ape too. Can you tell that I feel strongly about this?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. The further away God is pushed, the closer the evil appears. We cannot make it without Him, in every aspect of our lives. It doesn't seem to be "news" unless it has to do with violence, or some other sort of nastiness (for lack of a better word). When was the last time we read or heard some good news? It is that much more important that we be the bearer of good news whenever possible!! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOh! What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see...
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