As we all know, on December 14, 2012 (approximately
9.30AM, EST), this country was struck by the tragic news of a senseless
gunman killing and slaughtering the lives of twenty innocent children and six
adult females at the Sandy Hook Elementary School at Newtown, Connecticut. Like many of you, perhaps, I’ve been glued to
the television and painfully watching the heart wrenching images and stories
from Newtown , CT.
Over the last few days, I’ve had many moments and I’ve
experienced many emotions. There have
been times when I’ve had to simply remain quiet and be still in the presence of
my Maker. I’ve had many moments when I
needed to pause, stop, reflect, and simply be in times of prayer…often emotions
of restlessness engulfing me from deep within my soul, deep sighs and breaths, and
barely even able to even utter words… Yes, like you, I’ve had my own talks and
questions to God: WHY, WHY, WHY the loss of brutal killings, loss of innocent
children, the senselessness of it all. I
don’t think any of us will ever know for certain why…and I don’t think any of
will ever comprehend and make sense of it all.
I was reminded over and over again the words of Psalm 46. If
you are able, please listen to these words in light of the recent and
unspeakable tragedy. “God is our refuge
and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains
fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the
mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad
the city of God ,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of
day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms
fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob in our fortress. Come and see the works of the Lord, the
desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and
shatters the speak, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; and I will be exalted among the
nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Frankly, although I understand the intentions of what the
Psalmist was attempting to communicate, they were not necessarily all that comforting
to me. But, I must admit, it did give me
quiet moments of pause! “Be still, and know that I am God.” What the Psalmist was saying is that, even in
the midst of the unspeakable tragedies, chaos, brutal suffering, madness and
evils of this earthly life, to know, God is still God! God is still our hope; our
refuge. In times like these, God IS indeed our only refuge and strength, an
ever present help in times of utter despair, tears, pain and when cannot and
will never understand why things happen the way they do…
Over the past few days, you and I’ve also witnessed how God’s
people in Newtown
and all around this country have responded to this crisis. People have offered their outpouring love,
genuine care, prayers of various faith communities, and monetary and other contributions
to help families of victims. The coming
together of all people and standing with each other has been equally speechless
to me. I’ve asked, “Where is God?” This is where I’ve seen God and the power of
love in the midst of wickedness and horrific evil.” This too gives me moments of
pause!
The Psalmist, in essence utters, no matter what, yes, no matter
what we go through in this earthly life, “Be
still, and know that I am God.” What
the Psalmist was really saying was that, in times and season of pain, heartache
and distress, we can never, never be separated from God’s love! Wow! This certainly renews my soul, dries my
misty eyes and genuinely gives me moments pause but also moments of wonder and
hope!
Please don’t misunderstand me I still have my many
unanswered and troubling questions. Someday,
I’ll have my Q&A session with God face-to-face. But, in the meantime, I am going to do all I
can (with every ounce of my being) to cling, grip and hold-on tightly to my unmovable
and solid Rock – Jesus!
Ruth Caye Jones wrote these power-packed words to this hymn:
In times like
these, we need a Savior
In times like these we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
In times like these we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
In times like
these, we have a Savior
In times like these, we have an anchor
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
In times like these, we have an anchor
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He's the one
This Rock is Jesus, The only One
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
This Rock is Jesus, The only One
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
May the peace that passes all human understanding, God’s abiding
comfort and the strength of this Rock be yours, especially in times and seasons
like this!
I’d love hearing your thoughts and reflections…
Dr. Wesley SK Daniel, Lead Minister
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