Stand Against Evil

Monday morning the people of the United States awoke to the horrifying news that a crazed gunman had murdered 50 people and wounded about 400 in Las Vegas. These people were enjoying fellowship with one another at concert and were unaware the the ominous threat that was about to change their lives forever. My friends, we are living in wicked times, wicked times that are crying out for prayer, and more importantly for the gospel. Yet, no matter how evil attacks, we cannot be shaken! We must stand steadfast and immovable! We must stand firm in the words of king David when he said in Psalm 27:1,2 — “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.”

The gunman took his own life, so the question is, will there be judgement in all of this? The answer is yes! Let me explain…

As in many situations such as this, the gunman has taken his own life, believing in the deceit of his own heart, that he will escape judgement and punishment. He has certainly escaped mans judgement but he has not escaped God’s judgement. In fact, the gunman has ushered himself into the most severe judgement of all. Hebrews 10:31 says — “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

In his suicide, the gunman has robed himself of the opportunity for repentance. This seems to be ironic in that through his evil actions, he has robbed so many others of their opportunities. But again, we must remember that he has not escaped eternal judgment or punishment, in fact, he is now paying for his horrifying sins before a righteous and holy God. Unlike any punishment a human court could ever render, God has rendered, and is currently administering, an eternally just punishment that this mans actions deserve.

So in light of this tragedy what should our response be as Christians? Well, let us first remember the victims and their families, and as we do, let us lift them up in prayer, that God would comfort them during this difficult time. Secondly, let us also pray that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ would shine through the darkness of this evil act so that others who are struggling with their demons would come to a saving knowledge of Christ before we have to endure another tragedy such as this one.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.