Bomb blasts in London - 7 July 2005

9 July 2005

Thursday, 7 July 2005, witnessed a co-ordinated attack on the city of London. Three underground trains and one bus were affected. At the time of writing 49 people are dead and many more injured.

It is not yet clear (as of the time of writing today) who the perpetrators of the crime are. The suspicion is that it is one of the so called ?terrorist groups? .

It is impossible to imagine the horror and sorrow of those who have lost family and friends, or those with loved ones injured, maimed or missing as a result of this evil attack.

Join me in praying for the comfort and hope that only God can bring those affected by this evil deed.

Unfortunately, some of you reading this may have witnessed even more brutal atrocities than this one in your own countries. Evil deeds are not racist. Most people living on planet earth will witness the cold hand of wickedness at one time or another.

Fortunately, it is only a minute number of misguided and ill-informed people who execute schemes like this. The mass majority of people around the world, including Moslems and those of other religions, are equally appalled with this kind of gross disrespect for human life and sanity.

The occurrence of evil is something common to the whole of mankind. The Bible even tells us how to prepare for it.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 (NASB)

How do we resist in the evil day? Especially when the evil has been the cause of lose of innocent life.

Hope
The perpetrators of this evil deed believe in what they are doing and hope that it will fulfil their cause - whatever that cause is!
Hope is a powerful force.

As Christians we have a more abundant source of Hope. Christ in us is the hope of glory. Our hope is based on the concrete assurance of eternal fellowship with God - fellowship that cannot be interrupted by death.

Our hope in Christ is concrete and reliable enough to defeat the fear that death holds. For even death is harmless to our hope in Christ.

Love
We should never allow the weaknesses of others to stain the love God has poured into our hearts.

When the evil deeds of ignorant men are poured out upon an unsuspecting people, as on the 7 July 2005, the effects can be infectious. In other words, if we are not careful we will start to hate like they do. If we allow this to happen we allow evil to win. Let us not grow weary in doing good. Continue in what is true and wholesome. Love God and the people He has created. We are not to return evil for evil. Do not become a vehicle that dispenses evil. Remain one that sows the love of God.

One of the National papers in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2005, two days after the event, carried on the front page the pictures of Laura Web and Shahara Islam, two young people, Christian and Moslem respectively. Both are missing, presumed dead, as a result of the bomb blasts. The paper urges us to pray for both of the families concerned and reminds us that this evil deed has affected us all and should not divide us. This is the right path to tread.

Faith
Those that trust in God are never put to shame. He is still the great protector (Psalm 91). We should never doubt the power of God to keep us free of harms way. Many of us, no matter what part of the world you are, need to keep our eyes on the Almighty God we serve. Immerse yourself in the Word of God (the Bible) so as to familiarize yourself with the protection of your heavenly Father.

In summary
Hope keeps us going through current circumstances that defy sanity. Love shields us from the contaminating effects of evil and faith holds on the protection that God desires to give us.

Faith, love and hope are the ever-abiding trio that keep us free from the terrors of this world. Hebrews 10:22-24 (NASB) puts it this way.

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

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