It is said that hindsight is 20-20, but that’s not always the case and it takes time. In the aftermath of the shootings in Las Vegas, we are reminded that people want to see and understand the world around them. We want to summarize and compartmentalize our lives with a conclusion and a takeaway to give us understanding and peace. Age can provide perspective and wisdom. Data can give information on mental health or insight into how someone thinks and feels. But, is there a greater takeaway from current events?
In the Bible, Solomon is credited with being the wisest man to ever live. ‘God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.’ 1 Kings 4:29. For further perspective, Solomon was ‘wiser than any other man’ and his wisdom was greater than the combined wisdom of the entire country and civilization of Egypt. He accumulated great wealth, ruled as a King, built God’s temple in Jerusalem and wrote books of the Bible. Wisdom and wealth led Solomon to excess in his personal life and he wasn’t without his shortcomings. Current leadership needs to tread slowly and seek heavenly wisdom.
Solomon resembled our current leaders in that he used his power and wealth to accomplish what HE deducted were the answers to problems in his day. People in positions of power and leadership tend to look for something to ‘do’ as a remedy. The answer for our problems is not always found in an earthly action or with earthly wisdom.
At the end of his life, Solomon looked back with clarity at all that had happened in his life. Solomon definitely had a wealth of hindsight on which to draw when he made conclusions and gave us his takeaway.
“Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
I think Solomon’s words can be a comfort to us these days when it’s hard to understand the evil we find so prevalent in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Mass killers, politicians bent on their way or the highway, road rage behind the wheel of a car in traffic. Anger, evil and hatred is ready to boil over everywhere you turn. Las Vegas doesn’t require a doctorate to understand. There is sooo much to confound and dishearten if we choose to go down that road. But, it is comforting to remember that my job, and yours, is to fear God and keep His commandments. Fearing God has to do with reverent respect and knowledge that whatever we do, or anyone does, God will bring it all into judgement.
We shouldn’t allow our cumulative modern wisdom to forget that God may be slow to anger and He may be slow to act, as we see it, but He is not to be mocked. ‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:19-21. THIS, is one takeaway I have from Las Vegas.
Jesus brought a lot of mercy and love into our world, but He didn’t bring cheap grace. He brought justice for everyone who chooses to acknowledge and follow Him. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:32-34. During this time, it is critical to remember God is able to revenge and repay the wrongs and Jesus is the answer to the evil of Las Vegas.
After Las Vegas, there is a chorus of remedies on how to respond to such a tragedy, but faith in Jesus hasn’t been mentioned. Restricting gun sales and more stringent mental health testing and monitoring are a few ideas from our collective wisdom. Our authorities should be careful they don’t make the same mistakes Solomon made in exercising his wisdom. Solomon overtaxed and drafted people into service to fund the answers to the problems of his day.
Many will hear ‘Jesus is the answer’ and laugh. Christ tells us to love others like we love ourselves but leave the remedies to God. ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good…Honor one another above yourselves…Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse…Do not repay anyone evil for evil.’ Romans 12;9-17. That’s a good place to start and finish.
Overcoming evil with good and waiting on God to avenge the wrongs we see does not provide any immediate relief. The road rage I see and hear every day…the festering discontent from racism that has plagued almost every civilization since the beginning of time…the atrocities happening in our country, Europe and the Middle East…prejudice…death…economic inequality that leaves some fat and living in luxury and self indulgence while others struggle to make ends meet or go hungry. Take your pick, choose your cause, there is no shortage. But Jesus is the solution and Christians must remember to put his name on the list and on their lips.
My takeaway from Las Vegas is that I don’t have another answer. My takeaway is that Trump was right (don’t be a hater) when he said it was pure evil. Hate what is evil and fight against letting it become any part of YOUR life. Trust that God will bring judgement to every deed, mine and yours included…and Jesus is the answer for us all.