It’s bad enough when men and women have to take up arms and go abroad to a strange land to defend their homeland and die performing their duties, but it’s so much worse when they are gunned down at home by one of their own.

In case you really are unaware, an Army major allegedly opened fire on soldiers at the Fort Hood base in Texas Thursday afternoon, killing at least 13 soldiers and wounding dozens of others. A lot of the dead I’ve read about so far aren’t very old and some were just starting out — i.e., recently married, just enlisted and one young lady was less than 2-months pregnant (see the New York Times).

I know there must be a deep sense of betrayal felt by many in the U.S. Armed Forces right now and everyone is wondering why — what would possess a soldier to turn his weapon on his own brothers and sisters. There are many theories right now, including that the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was conflicted over the war due to his Muslim faith or that he had somehow, ironically, lost his mind (he is an Army psychiatrist). Whatever the case, no answer will ever be good enough for the families of those slain. Senseless violence cannot be explained.

All we can do is remember to keep these suffering people in our prayers, that the LORD would be merciful and pour out HIS grace on them during this trying time. It’s hard for me to also write this, but I pray the man supposedly responsible for these deaths isn’t totally lost. GOD is a merciful GOD and Jesus the Christ died for everyone born in this world — including Hasan. I know the LORD will deliver justice as only HE can, but I pray that this man doesn’t lose his soul, too.

Psalm 34:15-18Psalm 34:15-18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. ¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. ¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. ¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. unto...: Heb. to the broken of heart of a contrite...: Heb. contrite of spirit  

15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

1 Peter 5:6-111 Peter 5:6-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. ¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. ¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. … 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

This passage reminds me of the misconception some have about Christianity in general and Salvation in particular (and I myself am sometimes guilty of forgetting) — the idea that once we commit our lives to Jesus the Christ all our cares and troubles will just melt away. According to the Scriptures (and personal experience), when we commit to Christ that is when we can expect the trouble to start. Continue reading »