The entire world watched last night as the city of Baltimore broke out in mass riots. It was the citizens waging war against the police force after Freddie Gray, an African-American man, was laid to rest after dying from a fatal spinal cord injury while in the custody of police. The damage last night will take more to repair than we can imagine. It is sheer wreckage - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Am I in disbelief that this happened? No. We just saw this in Ferguson...for much of the same reason. Violence is never the answer, but people feel helpless and hopeless in their pursuit of justice.
And, there is still a Word from God concerning such matters. It is the same Word that has existed for generations.
We are at war. This is not a time for the people of God to give up and throw in the towel. It is time for us to "suit up" in our war clothes as the Scriptures have instructed us to do.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Yes, we must pray. No, prayer is not enough. But unified prayer is where we start.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
And, even in the midst of this, I still believe God. Some people stand in judgment, but this could happen right in your community. The "Baltimores" of the world need for the people of God to be who we say we are...but we should also humble ourselves and seek God for answers.
Let's continue to lift our voices in prayer for healing and reconciliation, then move forward with a vision and a plan to change things for the better for all people.
#RIPFreddieGray
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