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“My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within,
my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed,
because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.”
—Lamentations 2.11 (NIV)
In 586 B.C. the prophet Jeremiah witnessed the systematic destruction of his homeland and his nation’s capital, the starvation of his neighbors, the execution of the nobility and prominent citizens—ultimately the deportation of a few survivors to Babylon at the hands of a ruthless enemy. It was a scene whose carnage must have played out as grotesquely as the crumbling of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. My eyes, too, fail from weeping... As the President suggested we have looked upon evil. We are walking through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death.”
In the midst of his horror, Jeremiah, recognized that he, like king David before him, was not alone, the Lord was present. He did not need to be afraid, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam 3.22,23 NIV). Yes, renewed Tuesday, September 11, 2001, and everyday since. Shadow valley has both an escort through and an exit.
Not everyone has faith or seeks spiritual guidance in times of distress, but for those of us who do the Bible points the way and points out the Guide. To acknowledge the horror, grief, outrage, and despair provoked by the gut wrenching acts of cruel men not only is natural but has biblical precedent. The prophets, the Psalms give vent to this. God is at times charged with negligence: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” (Habakkuk 1.2 NIV). Likewise, today, the horrific explosions, destruction of property and wanton murder of thousands of innocent civilians should call forth strong emotions.
As everyone now knows, terrorists inhabit the Valley. It is unpleasant.
But we do not fear evil because the One with us has overcome it and has promised to guide us past. Our task is to stay close to him and so to experience his calm, his shalom which cannot be impeached or tarnished by the recklessness of hell itself. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Is 26.3 NIV). In the Bible and among God’s people, peace is not simply the absence of conflict. No. It is the personal experience of God’s enveloping grace, his sovereign ambience guaranteeing that nothing can separate his own from his love nor turn aside his intention that good shall triumph at the last. How is this obtained? “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 5.1 NIV).
It is this peace that allows us to relinquish thoughts of revenge, while working toward reconciliation with our enemies. Justice is not set aside; it is sought from the hands of the One who knows every heart’s motivation and yet remains merciful. Practically speaking, this keeps us from perpetuating the cycle of hatred, wanton killing and violence—ironically known these days as “holy war.” There is no value, no merit whatever in finding scapegoats or demonizing a supposed enemy.
Wiser heads than mine must speak to our national concerns, but pastorally, it helps individually to resume the ordinary tasks that we can. Exercise helps with sleep. So does knocking off the caffeine and turning back the TV—lurid images have a way of playing back in the mind’s eye. Best, finding a way to be part of the process of restoration extends grace all around—so give blood, send care packages, pray, volunteer, etc.
To borrow from Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Mt 5.9 NIV). Today there is no higher calling and no less urgent appeal.
Shalom!