Friday, September 2, 2005
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
THE GREATEST TRAGEDY, THE GREATEST ANSWER
Last night on television there was continuing coverage of the recent Gulf Coast disasters. Many of you have probably spent time in prayer as you witness the horrors unfolding. It is truly hard, at least for me, to comprehend the full extent of the devastation that over one million people are experiencing in these hours. One reporter stationed in New Orleans expressed doubt that the city would ever be the same again. The newborn babies stranded in hospitals and the weeping mothers presented particularly sad images.
For all the horror brought on by the flood itself, there is an even worse tragedy to behold. It is the tragedy of human sin. The affected areas are being ravaged by looters and criminal gangs. There are murders, destructions, fights, and violent acts being done which are as scary as the rising water. The natural destruction is terrible enough, but the devil and the sinful flesh of man have taken the opportunity to compound the sorrow by spurring on outbreaks of sin.
Yet in the midst of all this, the God of peace is not absent. He who is in the heavens can help and comfort survivors of this disaster with His words and with His mighty power. He can deliver food, water, and aid to the needy.
More importantly, however, God has provided the answer also to the tragedy of sin. For the lawlessness of humankind, the Creator has the solution. It is the cross of Jesus. By this cross the Savior provides forgiveness and relief for every criminal act of all time. And with this Good News the Holy Spirit burns His way into hearts and minds, transforming and renewing those minds so they can better resist the devil and his wicked ways. God does fight against crime -- just not always with martial law. He tramples Satan himself underfoot with the Gospel.
