Guided by the Word
A periodic mailing from Berachah Bible Church's pastor-teacher,
R. J. Krystowiak
On Yesterday's Murder
Last Sunday we noticed how, in the Old Testament, God promised to protect Israelites who trusted in him. Psalm 91:5 stands out.
“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” (ESV)
Yet we also recognized that while God is fully able to give such protection to Christians today, we have no such promise. We know that unexpected evils happen all around us and to us. But then yesterday an unknown murderer used a modern-day “arrow that flies by day” to take the life of Charlie Kirk. Yesterday a great evil took place. How should we respond? I’ll offer four guidelines, and I offer these not as sequential steps (step 1, step 2, and so on) but as parts of the whole. Responding to a murder should at least include the following actions.
First, let us hate evil. God made Adam and Eve in his image (Genesis 1:26-27), and because of this God forbids murder (Genesis 9:5-6). Proverbs 6:16-19 teaches that God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Brothers and sisters, let us hate murder! Let us also thank God that our government hates this murder, and many law enforcement officials have been working tirelessly to bring about justice in this case. Hating this murder does not mean that we justify sinful responses, where citizens take justice into their own hands or live bitter lives. A biblical hatred of murder looks to our human government, longing for it to be “an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4). A biblical hatred of murder also takes comfort in the truth that the Judge of all the earth — God himself — will respond justly to this sin (Genesis 18:25; Revelation 20:11-15).
Second, let us remember our setting. We live in an evil world that is not safe (Ephesians 4:17-19; 6:12-13). Charlie Kirk’s murder is horrendous. We should be troubled by it. Yet many other evils took place yesterday too. Others lost their lives in accidents or because of crime. Wars rage on in various places of the world. Humanity continues to sin egregiously against the holy God. As all people of the world continue to sin, we bring further terrible consequences upon humanity. Your neighborhood might have little crime — if so, praise God! — but this world is full of sinners who dishonor God and hurt each other.
Third, let us remember our hope. This world desperately needs the presence of its Creator. Revelation 21:3-4 looks forward to a future, glorious day for the people of God.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”
In the end, God gives us the victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 15:57). Yet for now we endure this life while looking forward to the day when God will keep these astounding promises.
Fourth, let us pray. Offer prayers of lament, longing for God to respond justly to the wicked (see Psalm 55). Offer prayers of petition, pleading for God to comfort the grieving, to help the government respond properly to this murder, and even to raise up others who will take Charlie Kirk’s place and stand for the truth in a public way. In your moments of fear, thank God for the salvation he gives to all who trust in Jesus, thank him for his promises to you, and thank him for his power over death. In your moments of weakness, cry out for strength to live by faith in him. In fact, Charlie Kirk’s death will likely give other Christians the opportunity to tell others about the hope that is in us. Consider
1 Peter 3:13-17 in relation to the events of this week.
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Why pray? Because we believe God is working even through our worst experiences and we still have hope in him. Pray because we long for others to begin hoping in Jesus too.
Now, my friends, please permit me to prepare you for our gathering this Sunday. I’ve sought to lead you back to Scripture in the above paragraphs. I’ve reminded you that last Sunday God brought us to truth that applies to Charlie Kirk’s murder — it’s amazing how God does this! I’ve also asked Rob Wallace, who is scheduled to pray during our service this Sunday, to help us pray through this situation together. Otherwise, we gather this Sunday in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to worship our Triune God. You’re welcome to ask me in person for further thoughts on this murder, but I do not plan to speak directly to this current event from the pulpit on Sunday.
God’s Word guides us through the events of this week. God has given us what we need to have hope in this dark world. He is faithful!