Not
Guilty. That was the verdict this past weekend for George Zimmerman, an
Hispanic, accused of murdering Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old black man. I wrote
about this subject when it first occurred. You can read the blog dated March
26, 2012 here: http://essentialmatters.blogspot.com/2012/03/killing-of-trayvon-martin.html. The case
has been politically and racially polarizing. It has been abused racially and politically. Some people believe justice has
been served while others do not. Thinking biblically now for over 40 years I
realize that justice is never really fully met in this world. Full justice
awaits the final judgment of God (Psalm 7:10, 11; Psalm 58:10, 11).
But
I have been thinking a lot about boys. As the father of three young men I know
about the talks fathers have with their sons, or should have with their sons. I
have talked with my sons many times about many issues. But there is one talk I
have never had or ever will have with my sons—what to do when the police pull
you over or you are suspected of bringing trouble because you are a young black
man. There are prejudices
To
be a young black man is to be in a dangerous place. But the reality is that the most dangerous place for a young black man to be is with other black men, especially in certain cities and certain areas within these cities. Most young black men
are killed for no good reason; gang violence, etc. by other young black men. Chicago has been the murder capital of the United States since 2008. There were 205
homicides in Chicago from January to July 4, 2013. Of those killed 91% of those
were black, killed by other black people. Where is the outrage here? Why hasn't the national media focused on this violence? Where is the Obama
Administration and the Department of Justice? Do I smell the stench of political correctness?
Trayvon
Martin had been sent to his father by the Florida Authorities. The hope was his
father could help straighten out a troubled young man. But the father and son
relationship, finally being built, late but not without hope, never bore fruit.
And there is deep pain and sorrow in both the Martin family and the Zimmerman
family. These two families will never be the same again. Tragedy has struck
both. Prayers should be offered for both.
I
pray for the young black men in my church. And I am thankful and honored to
serve the godly, faithful black parents whose families I dearly love. Their
only hope, our only hope, for all men, women and families is the saving grace
of God in Jesus Christ and the wisdom that we can receive from Holy
Scripture—God’s Word.
Parents,
talk to your children, especially about God’s plan of salvation. Begin when
they are small and continue talking when they are young men and women. The Old
Testament declares “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your
heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them
when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and
when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).” And the New Testament proclaims, “fathers,
do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).” Do
it, please.
Indeed, it is a commandment from our Lord:
ReplyDelete“Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:60)
Go and testify to all, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
For: (Job 36)
5 " Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.
7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.
8 And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,
9 Then He tells them their work and their transgressions --- That they have acted defiantly.
10 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.
13 " But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.
15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.
16 " Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.
17 But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.
19 Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?
20 Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22 " Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?
23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
24 " Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.
25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.
26 " Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.
We have a forgiving God, one who is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive.
Luke 15:7 “I can guarantee that there will be more happiness in heaven over one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts than over 99 people who already have turned to God and have his approval."
Dear Pastor Chuck thank you you for the blog. It seems that we as believers of God's Holy word should be aware that the world is still in control of the devil and his forces. I have tried to remember the warnings that the Bible gives us about not falling for the same old tricks that the devil has used before in past generations. If the Pastors in this great nation would teach color blindness to its flock as St. Paul taught his in; I Co.10:
ReplyDelete32 we would be wiser and harder to fool by the devil's old tricks. The heartache of a parents loss and the anger in the hearts of citizens who question our courts, are caused by the devil keeping us ignorant of the answers God has in His Bible/