March 4, 2018 – In light of the most recent school shootings, and the media coverage of that tragedy, local clergy were asked about which Biblical scripture they turn to in times of sorrow, and why.
For Pastor Laura Blevins of the First United Methodist Church, John 14: 1 – 7 is helpful.
“God never promised us an easy life,” Blevins said. “In fact, as Christians we find ourselves having to interpret the craziness of the world and react to times of trouble with the love and the grace of Jesus Christ. This scripture from the gospel of John tells us just that. Jesus said ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.’ God knows that we will have times of trouble – not that He causes that trouble – and gives us the assurance that he will always be with us. The most comforting thing we can rely on in times of trouble is knowing that no matter what God is with us calling us forward saying ‘it may not be OK right now but it will be.’”
John 14: 1-7 reads, in part: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Pastor Forrest Schreier of Grace Family Worship Center cites Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
“Whenever I’m in a situation that seems overwhelming, that there is no rhyme or reason to, I know that I’m not alone. It’s not through my own strength that I can get through but because of His strength,” said Schreier.
Pastor Glen Sams of Salem Christian Union Church cites Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Said Sams, “This verse reminds me that no matter what is happening God already knows and has a plan for us if we will only follow it. That plan is to give us a hope and a future. This does not mean that bad things will never happen because as long there is evil in the world bad things will happen. It means I can be confident in the fact that the plan God has for me is good, and that no matter the difficulties, hardships, pain and hurt, in the end all will be well because of the eternal hope that we have through Jesus.”
Reverend Peter Lindstrom, Christ our Redeemer Church, referred to Pslam 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
“During times of trials and tribulations, our encouragement is found in knowing God’s presence and care being still with us,” Lindstom said.
For Reverend James Gier of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, the Pslams of the Old Testament seem most relevant.
“Many are written while under affliction and great suffering in question of God’s presence to see and help in such times of need, even in question of evil in the world, yet also praising God in remembering all His wondrous works of rescuing and restoring His people in view of the ultimate promise that such suffering and evil in the end will not endure,” he explained.
Pastor Ron Johnston of Calvary Christian Union Church turns to Romans 8:38 – 39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“I take great comfort in the fact that as a Christian who is trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, there is nothing in all of creation that can overpower the love of God. I am trusting that the God of all of creation will keep me safe,” Johnston said.
Pastor Mike Boudreaux of Crescent Lake Christian Center answered with two scriptures, rather than one, because, as he explained, “There is not a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to trouble.”
Lamentations 3:24: Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need. I can depend on Him.
Hebrews 13:5b: God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.’
“These speak to the heart of the matter when tragedy strikes. Despite the wickedness of man, Satan’s evil intents, and life’s heartbreaks, is God still with me? Is He still there for me to trust In His grace and mercy? The answer is a resounding ‘yes,’” Boudreaux said.