The Aftermath

Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'

All that could be said at the trial, has been said.  The ruling by the judge has been rendered. The trial is over. It has been a week and one day since we all parted ways in great sadness, despair, and yet with a sense of hope for a brighter future. It is a hope that is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

I have waited to write this devotional for a week and a day because I needed time for healing. I needed time for God in His Holy Spirit to bring peace to my soul. I needed time for prayer, contemplation, study of the Word to work within me. I needed to put the whole ordeal, in all its' horrific detail, into proper perspective. Hearing the words from the Judge stating my son's plea to unpremeditated murder was accepted was shattering. The finality of the judgement was delivered along with a reminder to my son that the judge was confident Andy can put this situation behind him and be successful in his future. Many tears were shed on that day. A very difficult media interview, that documented for all posterity the worst day of my life, was given.  Firmly in the grip of grace I was able to stay composed. I was not just leaning on Jesus, he was holding me up.  By myself, I could not have done what needed to be done. By himself, Andy could not have done what he knew needed to be done to take responsibility for his actions and to move forward with his life.  Jesus was. and still is, holding Andy and each of us up to endure whatever hardships may befall us. The weight of the sentence passed on Andy is tremendous. Seven years are to be served.  For some people that would be the end. There would be seven long and difficult years without hope. It could be completely devastating and lead to a pitiful existence.

But how can it be for a believer?  How will time pass for a follower of Jesus Christ?  In reality it can be a time of deep reflection, study of the Word, and long hours in prayer.  The tremendous difference be between the believer and the nonbeliever is that there is HOPE!  Romans 3:22-25 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as  a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.  This is the basis of our hope. We are sinners, we are judged on this earth for the sins which break earthly law, and we are forgiven of our sins by the One who is not bound by the earth. We are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that day on the cross. The divine forbearance of God the Father passed over former sins and cast them as far as the east is from the west.  The aftermath of that day for Andy, for me, and for all of us is not one of despair and emptiness. The aftermath is of a bright hope, a glorious future awaits us all. We have to cast off the despair which can weigh us down in a destructive cycle of self pity and doubt.  We must embrace the glorious future that can be found in the path illuminated by walking in faith with Jesus. My friends, the aftermath is not of ruin and wreckage. It is bright as the dawn of a new day after the storm has passed.

PRAYER: Lord God, Heavenly Father you bring the dawn of a new day to us each and every day. You illuminate for all to see the brilliance of Your creation. You help us to put into perspective our troubles, our sorrows and our pain. Your peace, that surpasses all understanding, comforts us when it seems we are beyond consolation. For this Lord, we are eternally grateful. We stand humbled before you. We give thanks for the blessing of Your Son Jesus Christ in our lives and our salvation. Praise be to The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God, now and forever. Amen