WHO WON?

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4,5 NIV

The light of a single candle is small, barely noticeable in bright day. But when it’s the only light shining in total darkness, that single flame can be seen for a very great distance.  

Last Wednesday a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a prisoner of the prince of darkness, stepped into a church in Charleston, South Carolina, and blew away nine Christians. The darkness had tried again to overcome the light—but that light was kindled from the Light of the World, Jesus, who said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

The light shining from Charleston this week is made up of many single lights: joy in the face and voice of the 18-year-old son of one victim; acceptance in the voice of forgiveness from another survivor; brotherhood in the unity of tears, hugs and prayers to Him who is Father of all His children.

A great congregation of lights shining into the darkness of Ferguson and Baltimore and their sequelae. Into the darkness of Hollywood and Washington, DC. Into the darkness of the moral breakdown of a country, a world.  Into the darkness of political correctness and race pimping and Jihadic terrorism. Into the darkness of the judging of men, created by God, on the basis of the variety He treasures.   

A tragedy? When the very weapon Satan has raised here has not torn people apart but has brought them together to shine as one? Precious to the LORD is the death of His saints. And, from battle scars to victory to homecoming, precious is that death to their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Avi, we pray for the survivors and rejoice with them that their loved ones are there in Your Presence waiting for us, aching to share all that we cannot yet imagine. We pray also for Dylann Roof, who was blinded by his captor. Please open his eyes and give him understanding, Avi. Give him wisdom that he might see and choose Your light. In Your holy name, Amen.