Violence

Yesterday was a strange mix for me.

Not a mix of activities, but a mix of information.

Our history class had carefully told the horrible, but true facts of the acts of those who committed violence against the innocent in opposition to the Reconstruction after the Civil War.

I’d read a blog about bullying and the horror they had inflicted upon another.

My daughter asked me about the attack on the Ukraine: why was it happening?

Earlier, I’d read that very question as the title of an article from a news source.

A thread seemed to be the same throughout.

Those causing the violence felt completely justified in their behavior.

“How can anyone think it’s okay to hurt others like this?” my daughter asked.

And the Lord answered clearly for me.

“It goes all the way back to the beginning.”

Genesis 4:6-9NKJV — So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Murder of innocent people is a direct consequence of a life in rebellion against God.

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

The violence being distributed is horrifying and it’s understandable why our hearts are outraged at these abuses.

For the follower of Christ it is our responsibility to stand in prayer for others.

To recognize the real truth behind this kind of behavior and to remember we have an adversary.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Although, our attention is grabbed by the people inflicting these atrocities, the battle is not with them.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV — For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The spiritual battle is often overlooked, but the Bible makes it clear that the enemy is the one who steals, kills, and destroys.

As followers of Christ Jesus, we have hope for eternal life and a command to train up disciples in the truth of Scripture.

No time is more valuable for that than now.

Let us take up our cross daily, speak the truth in love, fulfill the calling to make disciples, encouraging, teaching, helping, and stand in the gap for the innocent, the helpless, and those who have yet to know Jesus.

Ezekiel 22:30 KJV — And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

May it never be so again.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your truth which helps us better understand why horrifying violence is carried out, it’s all the result of sin and the enemy of our souls. Lord, thank You that we know it will not always be this way. Thank You that You paid for my sin and saved me from living a life separate from You. Lord Jesus, it is so painful to know that people are hurting and killing one another, but I thank You for Your promises. Thank You for Your mercy, which stays Your judgement. Lord, thank You that we can stand in the gap for others. Thank You for Your helping the helpless, freeing the captives, and saving the lost. Thank You for Your scriptures which clearly outline not only the why of all this, but also what is to come. Lord, may our hearts remain steadfast, our feet not stumble, and our eyes see clearly, open our understanding through Your Word. Lord Jesus, I humbly lift up those who are being oppressed and harmed by wickedness. Please continue to save them and give those who stand literally in the gap for the innocent the courage and integrity they need to stand in the way of evil and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your salvation. Amen.

Standing in the gap

Prayer is more than simply crying out to God.

It is meant to be a two way conversation.

Thus, it is natural that the Lord would speak as well.

Often, the Lord brings others to remembrance and our privilege is to stand in the gap for them in prayer.

This morning was one of those moments for me.

I got up and grabbed my Bible and my phone and asked God to give me a verse to pray for those He had placed upon my heart.

One of the verses was this one:

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness. Psalm 31:3

For God’s Word is powerful and He alone knows what each one of us truly needs.

Instead of praying my own expectations or desires for these dear people, I am leaning on the Lord for His guidance and His perfect plan for their lives.

Then the Lord brought me to another verse and I prayed this as well.

Let the lying lips be put to silence,
Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Psalm 31:18

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Lord, I lift up those You have placed upon my heart. May Your perfect will be apparent. Please guide, direct, and protect. Lord, please let them not be ashamed, but instead help them to put all their trust in You. Lord Jesus, please cut off lies and the works of the enemy. Please let the truth be known. Vindicate Your people. Give them all that is lacking, please help them to patiently wait upon You. Thank You. Amen.

I don’t know what is occurring in their lives, what God is doing.

But I don’t need to know.

Instead of wasting time trying to guess what is going on I am putting my time into prayer.

For God has not called me to “fix” things, He has called me to stand in the gap.

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for teaching me to pray instead of worry, to trust instead of “trying”. Lord, You alone know all the details of all things and I am so thankful that it is not my responsibility to act on anything, but what You have called me to do. Please Lord, keep me from meddling in the affairs of others or speaking when I should be praying or just silent. Lord, please help me to walk in Your Word and to trust You for each circumstance, for all those I love so dearly, for the future no matter what it brings. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your truth. Thank You for Your Word. Please continue to help each of us who are called by Your name to learn to stand in the gap in prayer. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.