Enduring Heartache

Submitted by David Miller

Recently we all have had to endure the heartache and sadness as the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority loss five of their own.  Five officers who died senseless and uncalled for deaths at the hands of a person who lashed out in anger against anyone who was wearing a badge.  My heart still hurts when I relive the news events in my head and the thought of losing that many of my comrades at a given time.  But in the midst of the tragedy, the stories of bravery, heroism, selflessness, and sacrifice ring out.  After all, these heroes were running to the gun battle rather than away and the differences of opinions were set aside for one purpose, save lives of innocent people.  There is nothing that can speak highly enough of the bravery shown by these men and women sworn to protect life and stand between evil and good.

Isn’t that true though of our Savior?  Jesus stood between us and evil.  He sacrificially ran to the battleground for our souls so that we might live.  No one made Him.  He wasn’t forced to go.  Much like the officers, He went freely, of His own accord.  You see, Jesus, in the battle at the Garden of Gethsemane prayed a prayer that asked if it was possible to let this cup pass from Him.  As the battle raged in the Garden, Christ sweated blood and anguished over that which He knew was about to happen. 

Luke 22:41-45 (NASB) And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, ⁴² saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” ^43 [a]Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

Then, just as Satan was thinking he was winning the battle, Jesus uttered the words that set the course for the salvation of all men.  He said, “Yet, not my will but Yours be done” Boom!  There it was.  The end of that battle.  The final determining factor that led Christ to His death on Calvary.  The gap between God and mankind was about to be closed with a cross. 

Like many major life events, I hope we never forget what happened in Dallas on June 7, 2016 and will remember with pride the sacrifices made that day.  But, my prayer is that we never forget the greatest battle ever fought.  That is the battle that led to us being able to have a relationship with a loving God and will allow us to spend eternity with the bravest of the brave, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture to Claim:
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NASB)