Imprecatory Psalms were written, by the Spirit of God, for days like today.
As we observe the 24th anniversary of 9/11, we can recognize that yesterday’s tragedy came from the same source of evil, but with an important distinction. On September 11th, 2001, this evil attacked the American idea—an empire built under God—with the purpose of crushing the American will. It failed, but at the cost of thousands of American lives on our home soil. The world changed forever, and it will be a defining moment for the rest of the 21st Century.
Yesterday’s tragedy, while of the same source, was different though. Let me back up: When the Apostles, and our ancient brothers and sisters, were massacred for their unshakable faith in Christ, it happened because the Church was born in the middle of a grossly pagan Empire. To a degree, historically, we would expect what happened as they refused to worship the Emperor (or anyone/anything else, save Christ). As much as they were persecuted, however, the gates of Hades could not prevail against His Church, and so after germinating in the Roman Empire, the Gospel began to spread.
Fast forward, and that same Gospel hit the ancient British Isles. Through some of the great monarchs of England—not the least of which was King Alfred the Great—it began to expand further. The Lord blessed England because of this, and from it the hope of a Christian nation, in embryonic form, arrived at the shores of Plymouth, MA, aboard the humble Mayflower. That nation was born 156 years later, and established a safe-haven for worshippers of the Triune God of the Bible.
Why do I recall all this? Because while we can rationalize why our ancient brethren were massacred on the soil of pagan Rome, it’s difficult for us to fathom a brother being massacred for his faith on the soil of this nation. Some may say, “it was political, not about his faith.” But I beg to differ. Everything Charlie stood for flowed directly from his faith; and every believer of the Lord Jesus Christ is equally as hated as he was—just not as prominent, perhaps.
So that’s what’s different between 9/11 and Charlie’s assassination. 9/11 was an attack on the American Idea, the American Dream, the American will, and we will never forget it. Charlie’s assassination was an attack on the Word of God, and what it teaches, and we will never forget it. Am I saying Charlie was the Word of God? No, I’m saying that everything Charlie believed, taught, acted upon, and desired to send off into the next generation flowed directly from the Word of God—his worldview was a Christian one, and that’s why he was murdered. As it turns out, when you are the one using an objective standard of truth (i.e. the Bible) for your arguments, you tend to win debates—that’s what Charlie did. So, he was killed because he couldn’t be beat.
Within 48 hours, we experienced two great tragedies. First, the heinous murder of Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina. If you observe Charlie Kirk’s final hours of X (Twitter) posts, you’ll find his commentary on that act of evil. Little did he know that within 48 hours of it, he would be the victim of an even greater tragedy (considering the influence that he had, not to diminish the life of Iryna in any way). So how do we think of such things, first as Christians, but then as Americans? Is this how our country is supposed to be? Of course not. But there’s only one source of hope that we can cling to in these moments.
When news broke that Charlie Kirk was shot, my family and I had just settled into Ashton’s grandparent’s house in East Texas, to spend the day with her Grandpa, while her Grandmother underwent major surgery. When I first read the headline, I immediately assumed that it was a failed attempt, surely resulting in nothing more than a gunshot wound (much like what President Reagan endured) and a significant scare for him and his family.
Within a few minutes, however, I learned that the bullet hit his neck. Within a few more minutes, video footage started circulating. A close-up video of the moment of impact put the Zapruder film of the JFK assassination to shame. It was gut wrenching, and truly what nightmares are made of.
Let me begin by saying this: it is good and righteous to be angry at this; but let us remember the words of the Apostle: “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph 4:26)
It’s times like this that test the people of God, and their knowledge of the Scriptures. We can’t wait for times like this to start searching for answers, and wondering how the Sovereignty of God plays into it. The Lord expects us to already have a grasp of these deep doctrines ahead of time, so that when tragedy strikes we are well grounded.
Such is the case for the promises of God—we must know them by heart, lest we wander around, looking for the purpose in things. When terror strikes, and it leaves us wondering how on earth we are to grapple with it, we must consider it in light of eternity—after all, God put eternity on the hearts of His people for good reason (Eccl. 3:11).
In moments like this, we must realize that we are in the middle of a grand, sweeping narrative, unfolding to tell the greatest tale ever told—the story of Redemption. Yes, the crux of the story already took place, at the Cross of Calvary, of course. But the fullness of redemption still awaits us, and the creation still groans for the return of its Maker. Until then, the Devil and his demons wreak havoc as they await their consummate end. And they can really make a lot of noise, as they did yesterday.
The same spirit that beheaded the Apostle Paul, stoned righteous Stephen, and caused our ancient brethren to be “sawn asunder” (Heb. 11:37) is the same spirit that infected the brain of the assassin of Charlie Kirk. But . . .
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
All of the terror, the imagery, the satanic nature of it all reminds us of a few things, as God’s story unfolds: it reminds of sin, and how much we should hate it; the sin of the world, the sin of those around us, and the sin within us. Mortify it, says the Apostle Paul—and when life gets going pretty good, and we begin to forget how evil that sin really is, we’re reminded of it in the most stark terms. We’re reminded that the world is full of sin and sinners, desperately in need of a Savior. We’re also reminded that death isn’t natural; it’s our greatest enemy, and the final enemy that will be destroyed under Christ’s feet (1 Cor. 15:25-26).
But until that day comes, we ache at the loss of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and cry out for the day that death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54).
Just think of it for a moment…from the time that the news first broke to the moment they confirmed his passing was ~an hour. That is enough time, in the 21st Century, for such news to spread globally, and be seen by billions of people. This means that, among the global body of Christ, hundreds of millions of believers were lifting up prayers to the Lord all at once—continuously, fervently, desperately. All while the life of His faithful servant was slipping away.
Think of the spiritual gravity of that hour—think of the things that were happening in that realm, and at the throne of Heaven. Hundreds of millions of Christians, crying out all at one time. For a man that they knew had a bright future, leading them into the next generation of fighting the good fight. And what was God’s answer? Well, it wasn’t the answer that we wanted, as our hearts burned for the miraculous saving of Charlie’s life, so that we (and his family) could have him with us just a little longer—we needed him, and still do. But, His answer was still as majestic as any other would have been.
He said: I hear your prayers. But this time, I say no. For I desire to have My servant with Me this day, beholding My face and partaking in My glory. He has earned his reward, and he will have it now.
And I imagine, if the Lord were here with us right now, He would’ve also said something along these lines:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Today, we mourn with our sister, Erika Kirk, and her two children who lost a father, but not in vain—they may not know that for quite some time, but they will. Because Charlie’s passion, and the movement that he represented, certainly did not die with him. Let’s pray that all the people who were blessed by his efforts to elect Republican politicians in the 2024 cycle—and including those very Republicans themselves—have the backbone that Charlie had to continue the fight for the sake of the next generation.
May the Lord bless us all, and give us strength for this season. May His presence be felt by the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. And may the enemies of God receive their justice swiftly. “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth.” (Psalm 58:6)
And if you needed any reminders, like I often do, of what some of those aforementioned promises of God are, meditate on these today:
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:6-8)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
May Christ have mercy on us all, and give us the courage of Charlie Kirk.
