Like most of you, I was taken back when hearing the first reports coming in from the bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday. Like in previous events, these “close to home” attacks suck me in as I watch the reports, hear personal stories, and struggle with the pain of others.
In moments like this, I tend to get people asking me things like “Why does God let this happen?” or “Where was God in all this?” While I see God moving all through the images and testimonies on the screen, many others find it hard to catch a glimpse and I think most of that has to do with understanding how this world works. Forgive me as I give a very brief overview as I am laying the foundation of what is actually on my heart about yesterday.
When we go back to Genesis (the story of how the world came to be), we find that God’s original plan was for us to have perfection. When I say perfection, I don’t just mean the beautiful garden, the lack of work, and lack of pain. I also mean perfection in having nothing between us and Him and the intimacy He desires with us.
That said, to have that level of intimacy, we also needed to have a choice about that relationships. God did not want puppets so to have the real thing; we had to choose it so free will was given to mankind. The kind of free will that leads to worship but also leads to horrible acts like yesterday.
When rebellion first came through the temptation of the serpent (Satan) and the free will choice of man (Adam and Eve), it meant repercussions that continue to ripple through our world today as the rebellion continues.
One thing God said at that first failure was to the enemy. He said in Genesis 3: 15…
“…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The first prophecy about the coming Messiah (Jesus) was spoken about 4,000 years before His birth from God Himself.
In short, he said there would be hostility between mankind and the enemy that will lead to tragedy and hardship. This very thread is prevalent in every strife in a marriage and struggle with cancer…all the way to acts like 9/11, the Boston Marathon, and to acts of horror that do not happen in the borders of the United States of America. Sin entering the world through man’s conscience choice has brought a challenge upon us that will last until the promise is fulfilled.
What promise? The one in the Scripture above….
The promise that her offspring (Jesus) will crush the serpent’s (Satan’s head). The victory has been won at the cross and the tomb and the day is coming when Jesus will return again, put His feet back on this earth at His second coming, and start the final victory over Satan that will end all the pain, all the hurt, all the terror, and all the tears.
So what is the point I have been heading towards? When I watch explosions on my TV… When I heard of people being killed… When I hear celebration being cut short by cowards with explosives …… I look forward to that day all the more.
While I will be comforted by the testimonies of what God is doing in the midst of this situation, there is a part of me that longs for the day to stand in watch as the Son of God crushes the head of the enemy and perfection is returned. When the inheritance of those who accept Jesus’ love and grace are able to rest easy in perfect love and victory with Him.
The enemy has an expiration date. I do not know what it is but I will be there at the completion of his dismissal and I will shout in victory when this madness is destroyed. It’s going to be a great day!
Until then I persevere in His arms and pray for those who have experienced this attack first hand can do the same.
Not much longer now…..
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