MAY THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW HIM

The last few days after the Boston bombing, it appears to have had me dumb-struck.  As I felt numbed in horror, God kept hammering away at my senses and I began to write things down.  The day of the bombing, I read and wrote about Sam. 7:47, "The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel.  And everyone here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear.  The battle belongs to God!"

How often before and since this particular moment in time have we hoped that the whole earth would know there is an extraordinary God, a God of LOVE.  Not a God of hate nor vengeance, but a God of Love.  How could God not be loving when He gave His Son to die for our sinful natures?  And in turn He asks us to be loving, and not hateful, to one another.  But the battle does belong to God, and we, the people who have been harmed by hate and violence,  must just carry out His orders to love others, forgive ourselves and others, and repent for our own sin--a tall order when we have been hurt so badly.

There is one thing which gives me great joy.  Whether or not we are aware of it, God is at work.  Every moment of every day, God is working, and those who look for Him, or even look for the miracles He works, will certainly see Him. If they cannot see Him, more's the pity, because there are no coincidences.  There are only instances of God.

Lord, I pray, and will continue to pray all my life, that the world I see today in pain and sorrow because of the tragic bombing in Boston would reach out toward you, God, for comfort and healing.  Even those persons who cannot see you, perhaps they can question why this tragedy happened and find you are there in the midst of their poverty and pain.

Many people are praying for the persons involved who have been touched by death of a loved one or one terribly wounded.  And there are prayers for the witnesses, the helpers, and even for the perpetrators of this evil. Oh, how all of us need you, Lord, for your healing, your help, and your guidance. We even pray for your mystery and our trust in it.  May each one receive an answer to their prayer, Lord.  And to the hundreds of questions?  May they all lead to you and the answer be in you.

We thank you , Lord, for your mercy--once again!  And may this sadness and anger lead to a new beginning with you and hundreds of people, or thousands or ten-thousands. Yes, may the whole world know there is an extraordinary God in Israel- and beyond- available to the multitudes who, whether they know it or not are in preparation for the Heavenly Places and to be with You, forever.

Amen..............from Jo