On a previous Sunday, we had a beautiful worship assembly. Gary’s lesson, “The Road to Rejoicing” was so encouraging (this can be viewed on our website below). Everything in the service went smoothly until at the close of the service my husband received a text from his sister. Understand, texting someone that you knew was in worship was unheard of in the Hampton family. Gary knew it must be urgent. His sister explained that we would soon hear something on the news about a shooting, and they were safe, unhurt.
She, her husband, and other Christians assembled to worship, just as they did every Lord’s Day. My brother-in-law and other men were quietly dispersing the Lord’s Supper trays. And then the unforeseen happened. Shots rang out, people were ducking under pews. In six seconds it was over. Two brothers in Christ were down, one injured, one deceased, and the shooter taken down with a fatal shot from an alert member of the security team.
Gary’s sister and her husband were not injured physically, but they and all the worshipers were emotionally in shock. Is this a bad dream? No, it is real. The injured Christian died at the hospital. Two godly men were gone in a flash.
Several things came to mind. First, death can come unexpectedly, and in the strangest settings. Places of worship are meant to be a safe refuge for the soul, a place where one can fully focus on praising our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
The truth is, we never know when death is at the door. The two appointments that everyone has and everyone will keep are death and judgment, And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We must be prepared at all times, regardless of age. Are you ready?
Second, prayers should be offered for everyone, certainly the family of the two Christian men and prayers for the church family, but also for the member who was part of their security team and brought down the shooter so quickly! He, too, will emotionally deal with taking a life, even though it was necessary to save many lives. We should pray also for the family of the shooter.
Third, we have amazing words of comfort in God’s word for those who lose loved ones, But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Yes, we sorrow, but we have great hope in Christ our risen Savior. Paul wrote Timothy, Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him (2 Timothy 2:11).
Finally, the two men who lost their lives in this horrific event lived and labored daily for Jesus and for His Kingdom, the church. While we Christians all over the world are mourning this great loss, we must take heart when we read John’s letter, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Sweet rest. Praise God!
Today’s Verses: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15), Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
By Teresa Hampton
Lesson by Gary Hampton, The Road to Rejoicing: https://livestream.com/siwellroadcoc/events/8914415/videos/200278701