In 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV we read, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

A terrible occurrence has happened in our country and there are some things that every Christian should be thinking about so that what the devil meant for evil, can be turned for good.

It's Not God's Fault
People need to know that God is good and did not cause this to happen. The world does not like to talk about Satan and does not even know if it believes in him. But, they do need to hear and know that destruction and death are his works, not God's.

Jesus said, "I have come to give life and give it more abundantly, but the thief (Satan) has come to kill, steal and destroy" (John 10:10). It is imperative they hear that God hates this. The Word says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

The Big Question
Many people will ask why, "Why did God allow this to happen?"

We now have an American nation under godly leadership. That has become a threat to Satan's kingdom - the kingdom of darkness. Some might say, "Does Satan actually get mad and do something?" Let scripture reveal that answer which is yes!

The book of Revelation tells us that in those last days before Jesus' return, Satan will be angry and try to kill and destroy in the earth. It says in Revelation 12:12 NKJV, "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

This nation is now under godly leadership that will do all it can to allow all religious freedom, which also protects the freedom to preach the gospel. When the gospel is preached and people come to receive Christ, they're stolen from Satan's kingdom and Hell. Satan hates that.

There is also another truth to understand. That just as an individual can open the door to Satan's attack through disobedience to God and unrighteous living - so too can a nation. God expects those that call themselves Christians to live according to His Word. There had been a backsliding from God's standards. It is a time to examine lifestyles and personal behavior in light of what God requires of us.

People's Hearts Are Now Open
As Christians, it is important to understand that the number one reason people come to Jesus Christ is crisis. Because of this national crisis - the hearts of people in this country have been pried open. This is an opportunity to make the devil pay.

If Christians will pray and ask God to use them and if they will be sensitive, there is a temporary open window of time where people will listen to and desire to learn and hear about the Lord. Many people can be saved from the grips of Satan and Hell in this immediate time ahead. Over time, things will return to a more normal pattern and people's hearts will again shut. Pray that God bring labors into the harvest and that He uses you as one of them.

Prayer is More Important Than Ever
Let us pray for the comfort of each and every person that had been struck in their heart by the devastation of this tragic event. One person put it to me like this today - he said, "you know how you were watching those people walking around with all that soot yesterday? That's how I feel on
the inside!"

Let's pray for God's peace to touch their hearts. Philippians 4:7 TLB says, "If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."

True Justice Will Be Served
Lastly, God is the ultimate avenger and we can count on that. I am going to leave you with the words from one of the Psalm 64.

Psalm 64:1-10 NIV:
"Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat
of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy
crowd of evildoers. They harpen their tongues like swords and aim their words
like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot
at him suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they
talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them?"

They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the
mind and heart of man are cunning. But God will shoot them with
arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. He will turn their own
tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will
shake their heads in scorn. All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the
works of God and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous rejoice in
the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt