When a President Is Shot
What do you do when a former President is shot? How did you respond when you learned that an assassination attempt was made on President Trump? Here are some biblical responses for us to consider:
2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
1) Comfort for the Victims and their Families – In such tragedies, we know we need to pray diligently for those who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and those who were traumatized by the violence. Many of us have suffered loss or trauma and know the lingering pain and open wounds. May the victims and their families turn to Jesus for spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical healing.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2) A God-ward Focus for Our Nation – An assassination attempt like this arises from a godlessness in our nation that is clearly evidenced by widespread hatred and sin in our country. Only a focus on God can bring the peace and unity that our nation needs. May this evil event spawn a revival among our political leaders and across our nation where we witness genuine repentance and belief in Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.”
3) Humble Reminder about Our Own Mortality – When such life and death events occur, we see the fragility of life. Let us not forget about the inevitability of physical death and be prepared to meet our maker. May we all use such a reminder to refocus our priorities and make the most of each day that the Lord gives us here on earth.
Ecclesiastes 8:8 “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death.”
4) Gospel Courage in the Face of Evil – We witnessed political courage when we saw a bloodied President Trump stand up and encourage the crowd to fight for their nation. Such an occurrence should remind us of our own spiritual war against Satan, demons, sin, and the world around us. May we stand firm in these evil days with even greater courage to proclaim the gospel truth in the face of increasing persecution.
2 Corinthians 5:8 “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
5) Focus on Higher Things – While this assassination attempt is indeed historically significant, we must watch out for the distractions of a presidential election cycle. We can easily be consumed and overwhelmed by the things and news of this world. May we find a healthy balance in being aware and wise to our surrounding culture while keeping our thoughts trained on our Creator and our purpose in Christ.
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”