Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Death of Innocence
There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were. ~ Dwight David Eisenhower
Scripture:
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. Jeremiah 9:20-22 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I watched as three young children and their great-aunt perished in a house fire. It was a tragedy that touched my entire neighborhood. The death of innocence always has a way of doing that. These babies had gone to bed earlier in the evening never realizing that their lives would be snuffed out by flames that could not be extinguished.
The real tragedy in this whole situation was that a mother had to watch as her babies were trapped in a room where they could be seen through a window, but that no one could reach. Fire crews rushed to the scene but were ill prepared for the battle that raged before them. Five houses engulfed by flames and all they had was the equivalent of a water gun to fight the flames of destruction. This was a senseless and horrific tragedy that possibly could have been avoided if the proper help had arrived in time.
This situation reminds us all that death awaits us at any given moment. We too could be trapped in a room where we are seen by all, awaiting help to arrive and rescue us from certain death. However, the difference is that our help is already here. We don’t have to perish in the flames like those children. Jesus is here to rescue us, if we let him.
Jesus sees us as we fight against the flames that threaten to destroy our lives, the fires that threaten to engulf our very existence. He is waiting to break down those things in our lives that have us trapped.
He will be that fourth man in the fire with us if we ask.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace with a heavy heart and spirit. My eyes are red and swollen from the tears that have been shed in the name of innocence. Lord, I know that the babies that died during this tragedy are safe in your arms. I weep for those who have been left behind who have yet to call on Your name. I weep for those we are caught up in this sin sick world. I weep for those who do not know of Your Love, Your Grace and Your Mercy. I weep for those who do not realize that You are just a prayer away. Lord, I ask that You would comfort the families that lost loved ones as well as those who have lost their homes. Keep them all safe in the bosom of Your arms. Let us cry for innocence lost and for those who have yet to ask You to come into their hearts. Now Lord, I thank You for sparing me and my household. Father God, I just want to thank You for fresh grace and mercy. But most of all, I thank You for Your son Jesus Christ. It is His name we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. Jeremiah 9:20-22 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I watched as three young children and their great-aunt perished in a house fire. It was a tragedy that touched my entire neighborhood. The death of innocence always has a way of doing that. These babies had gone to bed earlier in the evening never realizing that their lives would be snuffed out by flames that could not be extinguished.
The real tragedy in this whole situation was that a mother had to watch as her babies were trapped in a room where they could be seen through a window, but that no one could reach. Fire crews rushed to the scene but were ill prepared for the battle that raged before them. Five houses engulfed by flames and all they had was the equivalent of a water gun to fight the flames of destruction. This was a senseless and horrific tragedy that possibly could have been avoided if the proper help had arrived in time.
This situation reminds us all that death awaits us at any given moment. We too could be trapped in a room where we are seen by all, awaiting help to arrive and rescue us from certain death. However, the difference is that our help is already here. We don’t have to perish in the flames like those children. Jesus is here to rescue us, if we let him.
Jesus sees us as we fight against the flames that threaten to destroy our lives, the fires that threaten to engulf our very existence. He is waiting to break down those things in our lives that have us trapped.
He will be that fourth man in the fire with us if we ask.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace with a heavy heart and spirit. My eyes are red and swollen from the tears that have been shed in the name of innocence. Lord, I know that the babies that died during this tragedy are safe in your arms. I weep for those who have been left behind who have yet to call on Your name. I weep for those we are caught up in this sin sick world. I weep for those who do not know of Your Love, Your Grace and Your Mercy. I weep for those who do not realize that You are just a prayer away. Lord, I ask that You would comfort the families that lost loved ones as well as those who have lost their homes. Keep them all safe in the bosom of Your arms. Let us cry for innocence lost and for those who have yet to ask You to come into their hearts. Now Lord, I thank You for sparing me and my household. Father God, I just want to thank You for fresh grace and mercy. But most of all, I thank You for Your son Jesus Christ. It is His name we pray. Amen.
