These past few weeks have been overwhelming. I already had trouble comprehending the slaughter of over 1,200 people and the taking of hundreds of hostages on October 7th. Then I saw on the news thousands of people not regarding October 7th as terrorism. Beg your pardon, but “terrorism” is defined as: “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims”.
STUNNED AND STILL STUNNED
What about October 7th was not violent, against civilians and not politically motivated? What was the purpose of murdering women, children and babies? I was stunned and am still stunned.
HE FRUSTRATES THE PLANS OF THE WICKED
As my soul was grieving over the senseless violence, I came across Psalm 146:3-9: Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but He frustrates the plans of the wicked.
I FORGET WHO GOD IS
In the midst of all of this, I often forget Who God is. I have made the mistake of expecting governments to do the right thing. The writer of the Psalm is totally accurate regarding powerful people: “There is no help for you there”.
HOW BIG IS MY GOD?
How big is my God? He “frustrates the plans of the wicked. He keeps every promise forever”. Afterall, He “made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them”. It can’t get any better than that! In the midst of this, I have become blind to seeing the Hand of God. I dearly need the One Who “opens the eyes of the blind”.
I HAVE A CHOICE
What is going to overtake my heart and mind? Is it fear? Anger? Frustration? This is the God Who knows where the weapons are, Who knows where the hostages are, and the God “Who lifts up those who are weighed down.” I have to pause. I have to let Him open the eyes of my blind heart.