When Tragedy Strikes...

threat. So, the ticket does...what?

Obviously no government agency was prepared for what happened--and if so, what can they do? Shoot a plane full of civilians out of the sky?

And it was men who wreaked this tragedy upon mankind.

And among all this is God. God sifts through the rubble and gathers his children--some for eternal glory with him, others to live for another day and days of service here on earth in His Kingdom.

"The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 25:8)

God promises a "new heavens and a new earth." He has conquered death and secured eternal life for us! As Paul wrote to the Philippians: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) The trials we experience, in Paul's words, For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

This isn't the first tragedy--in two weeks we will have thoughts from Nairobi, Kenya, about the bombing of the American embassy. A month ago, my parents stood on the site of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building and were humbled by the event that shook our nation there. The events of 9/11 brought to mind the previous attack on the World Trade Center, Pearl Harbor (the last attack on US soil), and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (as to where we were when we first heard the news). And this will by no means be the last tragedy (unless our Lord returns).

But in this transitory and fleeting world, a life that has no promises in the mortal realm, we have the promises of God. God fulfilled his promise of a Savior and has taken eternal death away. Physical death is now the Christian's portal to the heavenly palace. And our guilt is taken away--guilt over actual sins committed as well as "survivor's guilt," which if experience is a teacher will be sure to follow.

Keep in your prayers survivors, families, rescue workers, and our nation. Give your child a hug and your wife or husband a gentle touch. Say a prayer to God.

But most important, keep in mind that your life can be cut short in a moment. Take to heart God's promise that he has made you his own child.

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Photos courtesy of Associated

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