Today in Belgium—and Tomorrow?

After the terror attacks, our hearts went out to our friends who live near Brussels. In a world gone mad, what could we tell them about our hope?

As we began our morning’s routine, an email from dear friends alerted us to the news of terrorism in Belgium. With explosions at the airport and in the train station, and loss of precious lives, the jarring reality of a world gone insane made our friends ask some very important questions.

Terrorism strikes close to home

Our hearts hurt for the loss of life in a world that, in the words of our Belgian friends, has gone mad.

We have been in that airport; walked many Belgian city streets; ridden trains into cities; driven across the beautiful countryside; dipped our feet in the frigid North Sea; admired and bought lace; delighted in Belgian food, beer and chocolate; admired centuries-old architecture; perused museums; relived historical events at Waterloo; taken hundreds of photographs; shared animated stories; and developed endearing bonds with Belgian natives.

What has happened to peace?

Our friends told us of the disastrous and frightening events so close to their home. They asked us what has happened to the idea of “peaceably bringing people together?” There are many thinking, decent people like our friends who are puzzled by absurd world events that make living quiet and peaceable lives difficult for good people.

Our friends have become aware of an uncomfortable and intrusive presence. The face of this disturbing presence appears at times as innocence lacking common sense. At other times the destructive presence sneers with vanity, arrogance and narcissism. Its crows’ feet are deeply etched by lust, greed and a desire for power. Its lips curl back with lies that break relationships, nurture contempt among families, ruin businesses and topple governments.

These evils have always been part of human history. Even the briefest peek into history books confirms the lament that peace is illusive. Yet recently this face has grown darker and more contorted with its total disregard for human life. No political or security reforms of human devising can Botox this face—no cover-up for the crows’ feet or the lip lines.

It’s as though this face has found its voice, releasing a reverberating, evil roar from its mouth.

What did we tell our friends? What can you tell yours?

We told them our hearts are aching over this horrifying event. We told them our hearts even hurt for the perpetrators, so seemingly void of any of the beautiful human experiences that they and their lives must be pitied. We reminded them they have come to know us as people who strive to bring peace and people together. For decades, we and others with the same beliefs have followed life principles with that goal in mind.

There are things we can all do in our private lives to effect the change we want to see in the world.

We:

• Seek a different face: the Face that was once invoked in a priestly blessing to shine upon the people (Numbers 6:26; Isaiah 55:6). We try to pursue the results of finding that Face: His righteousness, mercy and justice (Matthew 6:33; Micah 6:8).

• Acknowledge there is a God—a Supreme Creator who made His purpose for mankind known from the beginning (Genesis 1:26; Exodus 3:14).

• Accept our human frailty with humility and gratitude by recognizing the Supreme God is sovereign in our lives (Job 40:4; 42:2-6; Jeremiah 17:9).

• Sorrow:

  • Collectively, for the hurt that such an event brings (Ezekiel 9:4).

  • Individually—the type of repentance that leads to changed behavior (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; see “Godly Sorrow”).

• Study His plan: a plan devised, sanctified and revealed in the pages of the Bible, not through traditions and edicts of men (see From Holidays to Holy Days: God’s Plan for You).

• Are defined by this plan, understanding it explains how we are to live.

• Live accordingly (Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 5:48; 2 Peter 3:11-12).

What will happen?

At the appointed time God will, most certainly, bring His Kingdom; of this we all can have every hope and assurance. His Son, Jesus Christ, will most purposefully, visibly and audibly return to this earth to establish that Kingdom, the government of the family of God on this earth; of this we have every evidence in Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Zechariah 14:4).

Satan, that roaring face of evil, will be bound; for this we can be eternally grateful (Revelation 20:2-3). Jesus Christ will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords; every prophecy will be fulfilled (Revelation 19:11-16). The teaching of the purpose for life and the healing of planet earth will begin; and for this, we must prepare (Isaiah 30:20-21).

Today there is much work to do. God help us to redeem our time today, plainly seeing that the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Today, our Belgian friends are mourning and the whole world is suffering because of that evil.

But tomorrow, in God’s time, will be very different from today: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9; see also 32:16-18; 35:1-10). And for that, in spite of today’s evil and upset, we rejoice in hope.

Photo by Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA 2.0.