Lots of security around today. Not many smiling faces. I can see how the residents get to the point of saying, "When will it ever end?"
Perhaps you've seen the pictures of those who were murdered. You can see their faces on Ynet News or at one of the Israeli newspaper sites.
For us, again, we are not afraid. On the lookout, yes. Fearful, no. Our lives are in His hands. Our deaths are in His hands. Again, what's most important is not when one dies--it's how one dies. By that, I don't mean the manner of death; rather, I mean in what spiritual condition does one die? I am pressed to ask the questions, "Have I lived a life pleasing to the Lord? Will He be pleased with me as I stand before Him?"
Do you remember the last scene in Saving Private Ryan? Ryan wanted to be sure that he'd lived a life worthy of the men who had died to bring him out. They had all died--he had lived because of their sacrifice.
To use another example, how would you respond if a fire fighter or police officer had died to save you? What would you do to honor the memory of the person who had died so you could live? Tomorrow morning, his or her spouse and children wake up without a husband, wife, father, mother. You get to wake up, see the sun rise and have a cup of coffee.
Jesus died for you. It sounds so trite, almost, doesn't it? But He took the death--the punishment--that you deserved. Death without God forever.
What kind of lives should we live to honor the One who was beaten, spat upon, whipped, mocked, stripped, humiliated and crucified for us so we could live forever?
fear
