Oh, My God

A phone call, a weary voice, hesitation to speak.  Bad news changes everything.  "He was killed."  Pause.  Thoughts fleet, the body sinks.  Oh, my God.

He was young and joyful, taken not by a freak accident or a deadly disease, but by another man.  Murder, sick and devastating.  An atrocity.

"Sometimes I cannot forgive
"And these days mercy cuts so deep,
"If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep.
"While I lay, I'd dream we're better, scales were gone and faces lighter,
"When we wake we hate our brother, we still move to hurt each other,
"Sometimes I can close my eyes and all the fear the keeps me silent,
"Falls below my heavy breathing, what makes me so badly bent?
"We all have a chance to murder, we all have the need for wonder.
"We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the plunder."

These words by Jars of Clay haunt me.  Intertwined with tears of grief is anger, a sheer disgust with human nature.  I fear the darkness.  The rage which possessed his murderer, the sick selfishness, the swift compulsion to maim a brother.  How fallen is man?  How fragile are the lives which surround me?  Oh, my God.  Deliver us from evil.

Though shaken by loss, I can rejoice.  In the presence of God my brother is liberated from this world and united with his Savior.  Hallelujah!  Eternal life, imputed righteousness, saving faith!

"Behold the mercy of our King,
"Who takes from death its bitter sting.
"And by His blood, and often ours,
"Brings triumph out of hostile powers
"And paints with crimson, earth, and soul
"Until the bloody work is whole.
"What we have lost, God will restore
"That and himself, forevermore
"When he is finished with his art,
"The silent worship of our heart.
"It won't be long until the rod
"Becomes the tender kiss of God."

[Encouraging has been this book by John Piper, from which the artwork is taken.]

Please pray for his family, and for the one who took his life.