SYNOPSIS: In the wake of unspeakable evil perpetrated against innocent children, as we’ve witnessed in Uvalde, Texas, our broken hearts demand answers — an explanation for what defies explanation. But to those who would venture an explanation for the utterly senseless, the words H.L. Mencken stand as a sobering reminder, “Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.” Yet while I don’t have an explanation, I do know of an action we can take in the aftermath of this, and any other horror we will witness or even experience in life: we can run to God.
Run To God // Psalm 9:9-10
God is a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.”
There is always a danger for preachers, pundits, and politicians to speak too soon in the aftermath of an unspeakable evil perpetrated upon innocent children, as we are sadly witnessing yet again, this time in Uvalde, Texas.
Yet our broken hearts demand answers—an explanation for what defies explanation. And there are plenty of people offering their opinion and suggesting fixes. But to those who would venture an explanation for the utterly senseless, the words H.L. Mencken stand as a sobering reminder,
Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.
No — I don’t have an answer for the senseless tragedy in Uvalde anymore than you. But I do know of an action you and I can take in the aftermath of this, and any other horror we will witness or even experience in life. We can run to God. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you,
O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
I am so thankful that my trust is in the Lord. He is indeed a shelter and a refuge. Not that I have been kept from hardship and tragedy—neither have you. We have had our share—and will likely experience more in the future. As Jesus said, the rain falls on the just and unjust alike. The difference is, we know to Whom we can run when it’s raining: “God is a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.” (The Message)
One of the things I love most about the faith that I’ve placed in Jesus Christ as my Savior. Even when I or a loved one goes through the tragedy of terminal illness, relational heartbreak, economic disaster, or premature death—or even when I’m lamenting the slaughter of innocent children—I belong to a God who,
- Will hold my hand — “I never will I leave you or forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)
- Will fill my deepest emptiness — “God is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
- Will turn my tragedy to triumph — “In all things God works for the good.” (Rom 8:28)
- Will turn my tears to joy and make everything —“He will wipe away every tear.” (Rev 21:4)
Even if life doesn’t turn out as we planned, God has not abandoned us. His record of faithfulness and goodness goes all the way back to the beginning. So determine now to trust him at all times, and when the tough times arrive, don’t abandon the only One who will never abandon you. As Joseph Bayly said,
Don’t forget in the darkness what you learned in the light.
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