Daily Devotion

Rather than our regular Daily Devotion today, Fourth Church sent out a special devotion reflecting on the events at Virginia Tech. It was written by Hardy Kim, one of our Pastoral Residents. I want to post it here for you to read. Thanks, Hardy!

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:37–44

Reflection
Only ten days ago we joyfully celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only ten days ago we proclaimed the victory of life over death, of good over evil. Yesterday, it seems, we still glowed from the warmth, the day, family and friends; we had new life.

And so the tragic events at Virginia Tech are even more shocking and hard to accept. From where in this resurrection world does something like this spring?

Joseph Conrad once wrote, “The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia, certainly seem to confirm Conrad’s view.

However, I do not seek a source for the evil in times like these. Rather, I sorely feel the need for a supernatural source of healing and goodness. Faced with the senseless loss of thirty-three lives, I search for a miraculous spiritual cure-all to provide comfort for my grieving heart, wisdom for appropriate words, and strength to sustain a weary mind.

Still, today’s text reminds us that the surprising strength of our faith is not to be found in these kinds of answers. The power and love of God was revealed in a human being, Jesus Christ, much like us; a human being who, even as he was being welcomed as a king and savior, took notice of the suffering and pain in the world and wept over the brokenness of Jerusalem. This same God is with us now. Though resurrected and victorious in Christ, God is still with us in our brokenness and suffering, and God still weeps for all of those who are suffering from the events of April 16 in Virginia and all tragic happenings around the world.

Prayer
God of the resurrection, remind me that even though you have defeated death and have overcome this world, you do not abandon us, who have yet to do so. Be with us in our time of grief, and comfort us even if we are not wise enough to have all the answers to life’s awful mysteries. Let us know the love of a God who weeps for us, even now. Amen.

A Service of Remembrance
All are invited to participate in a service of remembrance for those affected by the tragic events at Virginia Tech. Fourth Presbyterian Church will be holding two such services this Thursday:
Service of Remembrance
Thursday, April 19, 2007
12:10 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
in the Fourth Church sanctuary