“And Adam knew
his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has
appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” (Genesis
4:25 NKJ)
his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has
appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” (Genesis
4:25 NKJ)
Tragedy . . . how
does one deal with tragedy? Like so many people around me, I have seen my share
of tragic events. Over the span of years in the ministry, I have sat in
hospital family rooms with families grieving over their tragedies. It is the
most difficult part of a pastor’s ministry.
does one deal with tragedy? Like so many people around me, I have seen my share
of tragic events. Over the span of years in the ministry, I have sat in
hospital family rooms with families grieving over their tragedies. It is the
most difficult part of a pastor’s ministry.
A shepherd cannot
sit with hurting sheep and not be touched by their pain. The Hebrews pastor
wrote, “For we do
not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in
all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Thank God for our High
Priest!
sit with hurting sheep and not be touched by their pain. The Hebrews pastor
wrote, “For we do
not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in
all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Thank God for our High
Priest!
In addition to the
“why” question, there are thousands more running through one’s mind
when tragedy strikes. How can I get through this? Will life go on? How can I
carry on after this? And on, and on, and on . . .
“why” question, there are thousands more running through one’s mind
when tragedy strikes. How can I get through this? Will life go on? How can I
carry on after this? And on, and on, and on . . .
In my ministry, I
have often questioned whether Eve had similar questions after Abel’s death.
That particular tragedy was made worse by the fact that her older son had
killed the younger one. How does a family go forward after such an ordeal?
have often questioned whether Eve had similar questions after Abel’s death.
That particular tragedy was made worse by the fact that her older son had
killed the younger one. How does a family go forward after such an ordeal?
In the 21st century,
we are confronted regularly with tragic stories of family members killing close
relatives (spouse killing spouse; parent killing children; and so forth). And
without fail, many wonder how they can go on after such an ordeal.
we are confronted regularly with tragic stories of family members killing close
relatives (spouse killing spouse; parent killing children; and so forth). And
without fail, many wonder how they can go on after such an ordeal.
Adam and Eve are
good examples of what to do after failures and tragedies. Trust God and start
over. Pick up the pieces and begin again. Accept the reality of the past and
look to the future. We all have a future! The only question is this: what will
it look like? If I will continue to trust God, the future will be good . . .
very good.
good examples of what to do after failures and tragedies. Trust God and start
over. Pick up the pieces and begin again. Accept the reality of the past and
look to the future. We all have a future! The only question is this: what will
it look like? If I will continue to trust God, the future will be good . . .
very good.
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ who forgives us our failures and allows us to renew our lives in
him. Empower us to release the past and receive the seed you have appointed us
for our future. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for Christ who forgives us our failures and allows us to renew our lives in
him. Empower us to release the past and receive the seed you have appointed us
for our future. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
There is hope in him
who is God’s appointed Seed,
who is God’s appointed Seed,