This Far and No Further
I have never felt the need to post this many times in a week, but I felt a very pressing sense that I should. I am relieved to see the constant, if quiet, stream of hopeful images of real protesters and law enforcement standing together in solidarity. But tonight, there is a violent group trying to wage their own small war on our nation’s capitol. They have set fires and vandalized monuments and hurt Secret Service members. I can’t begin to understand the pain and frustration of the community that feels especially wronged by George Floyd’s unfair and tragic death. But I know that these agitators don’t care about that.
I believe the only thing that can stop this is the influence of the Holy Spirit — I believe there are problems that should be addressed and deep rooted issues that CAN be solved with non-violence and unity, with the Lord’s help. But where I draw the line is seeing a riled up, angry mob set a fire that came close to seriously damaging a church that has stood since President James Madison’s presidency. That is 203 years of our history, in all its ups and downs and missteps and victories. They meant to destroy it.
That is not the solution, that does not honor George, and it is absolutely EVIL. It makes me genuinely outraged and deeply hurt. There is injustice, but it will never be solved by even more injustice. Fire and violence are the favored weapons of the devil. I am sincerely praying that the Holy Spirit intervenes, that there is an “I AM” moment that staggers the frenzy in the rioters, and causes them to snap out of their violent stupor and realize the harm they are causing.
I know the monuments in DC are “just buildings” and in no way matter as much as a human life. But they are there to be protected, to remind us of our heroes, failures and all. To attempt to cause them damage is to spit on what it means to be Americans, no matter the color of their skin. That city, as flawed as any other, is America. Nearly every President has made their home in that city. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most powerful and famous sermon on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
The names of many of our fallen are there — even the nameless and forgotten. A beautiful white spire stands tall, reminding us of the man who started it all, impossibly wise beyond his years, who refused a crown and birthed an identity that changed the world.
There are churches and museums and statues across the city with massive significance. I want to be able to see every one of those things, undamaged. I reject and rebuke the devil’s attempt to curse those things. Make no mistake, these are not protesters. They have gathered only in the dark, with the intent to steal, kill, and destroy. They are pawns of a great darkness that has seized upon a tragedy to attempt to cause irreparable harm.
There is a God who says “I AM”. He caused a very similar mob to stagger back under His authority. Despite their cruelty and evil, the situation was well under His control. He is the only one with the solution. He will bring love and repentance and healing. He will be with us as our law enforcement and our legal system is met with problems that need solutions. They will need our prayers and our help.
Right now, we should pray for justice.
Right now, we should pray that these violent, oppressed thugs are driven out of our capital — without any further bloodshed.
Right now, we should make sure we remind ourselves of the good, decent, hurting people who are not setting fires and breaking businesses and taking whatever they want. They are not represented by the evil of the agitators, who mean to rob them of justice and use whoever they can do cause chaos.
The devil made one step too far, tonight. To be honest, he’s made quite a few in the last few seasons.
This Far — and No Farther.
