It was going to be a great day! The suburbs of Chicago, Illinois were having their parades and gatherings to celebrate the fourth of July. People were coming alive again and celebrations were back. Things seemed to be moving in the direction of normality post-pandemic. It was a great day to celebrate the freedoms we now enjoy, thanks to the sacrifices of countless servicemen and women.
Amidst this celebration of freedom, Highland Park, a small community of 30,000, was suddenly under lockdown. At approximately 10:15 am CST during a parade in this community, a gunman opened fire, killing 7 and injuring 30.
Pictures of the downtown area of Highland Park show articles of clothing, along with blankets, lawn chairs and other items that had been put in place for the parade. These items were left behind in the confusion of the moment as the sound of repeated gunshots caused people to run for their lives.
One witness asked the vital question, “Are we safe anywhere?” We have experienced school shootings, church shootings and multiple lives have been lost at the hands of young gunmen. This is becoming the new norm!
This newsletter’s mission is to provide encouragement to the discouraged and hope for those without hope. We have chosen to provide a proverbial “cup of cold water” to those who are distraught by life. As I wrote this article, I heard the sirens of police cruisers. I felt a chill in the air that created a sinister atmosphere of hopelessness. I’m at a loss for words. I asked what I could say to encourage you, but I am reaching for words of encouragement myself.
We are living in a dangerous time. Human life is seemingly of little value in our current climate. Perhaps like me you, too, are at a loss for words. In these times, we ask questions such as, Is God still there? and, Is there a word from the Lord?
I write to you today with the news on my tablet in one hand and the Word of God just a few clicks away to remind you (and myself) that even when things don’t make sense, we can put our trust in the Lord! Trusting Him doesn’t mean that our pain will instantly go away. It doesn’t mean that we will immediately feel better. It doesn’t mean that we will have answers to all of our emotional questions.
I remember a sign at a church in Evanston where I preached many times. It was on the back wall of the church and very visible from the pulpit. The words on the sign said, “Jesus will carry you through!”
I don’t know what you are feeling in light of recent circumstances, but I do know this: In the midst of my greatest experiences of despair, the Lord has not failed me! He reminds us in His Word: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word [of God].” As our desire for His Word increases, we learn to put our trust in Him (Psalm 37:3). Ongoing trust opens the doors in our relationship with Him so that we can delight in Him (Psalm 37:4).
There are a lot of wonderful things to enjoy in this world, but they are only for a season. When our delight is in Him, we can find a never-ending supply of encouragement and hope in His grace.
A lot has happened during the July 4 holiday weekend. But take heart — we can find great assurance in knowing that no matter how grim the circumstances or how dismal life may be, these five words are still true: “Jesus will carry you through”!
Article by Dr. L.W. Edwards
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