Today's Devotional

October 15, 2002

Subject:  In The Grip

John 10:28 - "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall nay man pluck them out of my hand."

Last evening produced the ninth death from a sniper in the Washington D.C. area.  It is becoming an all too familiar scene these days.  Profiles of the type of person who would do this have been produced.  Possible van images have been displayed on TV and the web, and it's quite possible that they have a sketch of what the suspect might look like.  Still however, there have been no arrests or suspects publicly linked to the murders of the last two weeks.  Once again, panic and fear have been sent shivering through the spines of the nation's capitol and the surrounding suburbs.

So what do we do about all of this?  I think there are of course many actions that we can take as believers, not the least of which is the prayer that is required.  We must also take opportunities as this to assess where we are personally with God.  I think that this revelation is what gives the believer security in times like these.  When we understand that we are in the hands of an almighty and omnipotent God, then we won't fear so much what man can do to us.  (Hebrews 13:6)  Now this doesn't make us immune to fear, but instead it places our focus and attention on someone who has conquered all fear for us. 

While we in the VA/DC/MD areas will continue to clamor for safety, there is no safety like that of being in the hands of the sovereign God of the universe.  Let's remember that He's got the whole world in His hands and for those who call on His name, He's got a serious grip.  

Carlen