Violence against Humanity

On Sunday July 27 2008 in Tennessee, USA, while 25 children were making a presentation of the musicale, Annie, inside their church, a man shouting hateful words open fired his shotgun on 200 people in attendance. Two people died, while seven adults were injured. The next day, three suicide bombers struck a Shiite pilgrimage in Baghdad killing at least 32 people and wounding nearly 100. Why would God allow violence to be directed against worshippers?

How many of us have been witness to violent crimes? When I was in grade school while I was walking my way home, I saw a dead man lying on the ground bathed in his blood. He had been shot. It was difficult for my young mind to comprehend. Two years later, one my cousins, who was my age, was killed when he was drawn into a crowd witnessing gang members battling in the streets. I was deeply saddened and confused on why one so young could become a victim of others’ follies. Now at a mature age, I still cannot fathom the logic of killing others for whatever cause or reason.

Wherever we may be; the possibility of being a victim of hatred and violence is not remote. For evil lurks in places where we least expect to find it. Satan tempts people to defy God’s commandments and even a firm believer can put to a test. Job, a faithful servant of the Lord, was subjected to Satan’s designs. Satan even made attempts to tempt Jesus Christ in the desert. For as long as we are in this world, we are never safe from the devil. Therefore, we must not let our guards down in all instances.

While public officials and those in authority are primarily responsible in ensuring the safety of citizens, they can only do so much. We must do our share as well – not by arming ourselves with guns or installing high fences to keep danger out – but by shielding ourselves and our communities, with God’s coat of love that comes from fervent prayer and works of charity. "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:3)

God’s wisdom is beyond human comprehension. He loves humanity that He gives people free will. Yet there are those who abuse their freedom and worse cause suffering, if not death to fellow beings. The unrepentant sinner, to them shall be punishment for their wrongdoing. "His mischief will return upon his own head, and his violence will descend upon his own pate." (Psalm 7:16) To the victims and the innocent, He gives them refuge. "So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." (Hebrews 6:18)

by Mel Libre