Thank you so much for this. You were the first person I wanted to hear from when I learned of this news. Same town, same denomination, cautious with words and wisdom from God's word. You were the person who helped me through the Ravi Zacharias scandal (podcast on youtube I think) and so I really wanted to hear your words of comfort today.
This is good. I would also add that, though God is sovereign, He does not meticulously control everything that comes to pass. He has allowed us free will. As Tozer put it, "“God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it. If in His absolute freedom God has upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so.”
These tragedies are what happen in a fallen world. God didn't make the world this way, we did. However, He invites us to join Him in the redemption He has offered the human race. Those of us who have already been redeemed can rely on Him as the Great Comforter in these times. It's easier said than done, but that is where our hope lies.
Thank you Scott. Tragedies like this cause us to experience many of these emotions. And rightly so. I pray today for our Nashville friends and family, and especially for the Covenant School community.
Thank you for this. In times like this I feel a ridiculous need to take up for God. What a joke! Appreciate how you gave permission to feel broken and mad. Hope to visit Christ Pres one day!
Thank you, Scott. In addition to my personal response and grief, I know I will have the privilege of sitting with my clients today who will be asking “why?”. Your words may be a gift to them too.
Amen this is not the end! Justice awaits. I see that, “everything right now feels like Good Friday and Holy Saturday” very well put, a refreshing perspective. On Good Friday Jesus cried out, “my God my God WHY have you forsaken me!” Wow! Jesus felt all the deep deep things we feel when we cry out WHY WHY WHY God and there is only silence!!!! I thank God He is not a talker or a rambler. He is Sovereign and Supreme, the ultimate Holy Strong Mighty One, whose silence is POWER! He sees the end, only moments away, (in His eyes) and knows. His silence is He knows! That strengthens me today in my weaknesses and heartaches. He KNOWS! Sunday is coming, victory is coming, Justice will prevail, God will see to it all His promises are fulfilled!
Mysteries abound within our beliefs. One sure thing we can rest on is our hope and faith Jesus is on his way back. Maybe currently in the planning stages, but nonetheless, he is returning. Outside of questioning God's actions from time to time, I also cry out, "How long!?"
I've heard God does not mind our questions. I too questioned why on Monday because I had prayed for a hedge of protection around all the schools and awhile later it happened. I asked God why was my prayer not enough.
Thank you so much for your words Pastor Sauls. As the hymn writer says, “It is Well with my Soul”, but my heart is broken for the Covenant family and my tears keep flowing. The reminder to just cry with those in pain and not to speak at all was what I needed to hear. I am praying for comfort and healing for all those involved in this tragedy.
Weeping in Nashville
Thank you for this; I’ve been asking all those questions thru my tears and anger; I needed these truths
Thank you so much for this. You were the first person I wanted to hear from when I learned of this news. Same town, same denomination, cautious with words and wisdom from God's word. You were the person who helped me through the Ravi Zacharias scandal (podcast on youtube I think) and so I really wanted to hear your words of comfort today.
God gave mankind free will - hence these things can happen!
Simple -God is good but man is sinful
Simple
If we didn’t have free will we would not be human
This is good. I would also add that, though God is sovereign, He does not meticulously control everything that comes to pass. He has allowed us free will. As Tozer put it, "“God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it, inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should make but that he should be free to make it. If in His absolute freedom God has upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so.”
These tragedies are what happen in a fallen world. God didn't make the world this way, we did. However, He invites us to join Him in the redemption He has offered the human race. Those of us who have already been redeemed can rely on Him as the Great Comforter in these times. It's easier said than done, but that is where our hope lies.
Thank you, Pastor Sauls. I have been, along with the rest, grieving for the mom of the shooter. What an unbearable pain she must be left with.
my soul needed this.....
Thank you Scott. Tragedies like this cause us to experience many of these emotions. And rightly so. I pray today for our Nashville friends and family, and especially for the Covenant School community.
Thank you for this.
Thank you Scott. This is just what I needed and God provided that through the amazing gift that He has given you. You are a true blessing to us.
Thank you for this. We wept and prayed in our office today.
Thank you for this. In times like this I feel a ridiculous need to take up for God. What a joke! Appreciate how you gave permission to feel broken and mad. Hope to visit Christ Pres one day!
Thank you, Scott. In addition to my personal response and grief, I know I will have the privilege of sitting with my clients today who will be asking “why?”. Your words may be a gift to them too.
Amen this is not the end! Justice awaits. I see that, “everything right now feels like Good Friday and Holy Saturday” very well put, a refreshing perspective. On Good Friday Jesus cried out, “my God my God WHY have you forsaken me!” Wow! Jesus felt all the deep deep things we feel when we cry out WHY WHY WHY God and there is only silence!!!! I thank God He is not a talker or a rambler. He is Sovereign and Supreme, the ultimate Holy Strong Mighty One, whose silence is POWER! He sees the end, only moments away, (in His eyes) and knows. His silence is He knows! That strengthens me today in my weaknesses and heartaches. He KNOWS! Sunday is coming, victory is coming, Justice will prevail, God will see to it all His promises are fulfilled!
Mysteries abound within our beliefs. One sure thing we can rest on is our hope and faith Jesus is on his way back. Maybe currently in the planning stages, but nonetheless, he is returning. Outside of questioning God's actions from time to time, I also cry out, "How long!?"
I've heard God does not mind our questions. I too questioned why on Monday because I had prayed for a hedge of protection around all the schools and awhile later it happened. I asked God why was my prayer not enough.
Thank you so much for your words Pastor Sauls. As the hymn writer says, “It is Well with my Soul”, but my heart is broken for the Covenant family and my tears keep flowing. The reminder to just cry with those in pain and not to speak at all was what I needed to hear. I am praying for comfort and healing for all those involved in this tragedy.