In Response to Las Vegas Tragedy 10/1

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV

I entered my office this morning as usual and lit a candle to remind me of the Lord’s presence within and with me.  Like the flickering of a flame caught in a breeze, my heart and mind were all over the place.  I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath praying within, “Holy Spirit I need your peace to calm me down this morning.”  I opened my eyes and watched the flame dance in the dim room.

I sat silent for a moment and began my Bible study.  Then I realized I had forgotten to lift my voice in praise so I grabbed my microphone and began singing.  I remembered the night before when the televangelist I was watching said that, “Many people just think us raising our voices, clapping our hands, or leaping for joy in the church is just emotionalism.  However, if they do that on a football field or at a concert it is a celebration.  He reminded us there was a verse that proved it was not emotionalism just because it was in church.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth, make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalm 98:4 KJV

And there is a verse we also should remember as his children as well:

Psalm 8:2 says. “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (NIV)  

As I sang I pictured the praise of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and the demise of the enemy.

I soon got a call from my husband about the horror that took place at the Jason Aldean Concert the night before.  He wanted me to pray.  Of course, I told him I would.  But when I hung up the phone I sang all the louder for every victim that could not raise their voice this morning.  For everyone that was injured.  For every family and friend who felt loss or knew someone injured.  I sang for them all.  I wanted perfect praise to fill the air towards the God who I know is good (Psalm 136:1), whose love endures forever and is the force that can help us in the time of sorrow for our nation, in this age of fear and dwindling hope we can lift our eyes to the hills and know where our help comes from.

My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:2

Please pray for the victims and families and friends of last night’s horrible tragedy.  Post a prayer in the comments or come into agreement with a prayer there.  If you also have time, lift your voice in praise against the enemy of our souls, but focus on the Maker of heaven and earth who has defeated death and given us the victory, and made heaven our home.

My warmest condolences to the victims and families of the Las Vegas shooting.  My heart and prayers are with you all.

I am linking up with Holley Gerth’s Community.  She just wrote a new book called Fierce Hearted and you can find it on Amazon here.  I highly recommend it.  Find the Link-up here.