Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15

A middle schooler so defeated by bullying that he shoots himself to death in his school. A grandfather who kills his daughter and his six grandchildren, then calls 911 to tell the dispatcher what he has done and promises her police will find him dead as well.

This is the stuff of nightmares, but these nightmares are the reality of recent Florida headlines. And this is the kind of inexplicable horror that causes unbelievers – and even believers – to ask, “How would a loving God permit this?”

Free will exists so we may freely love God, for without it, true love cannot exist. Since the Garden of Eden, darkness has coexisted with light. When Adam exercised his free will over God’s perfect will, sin entered the world. For now the world remains under the temporary authority of “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4), who continues to woo the weak just as he did so long ago in the garden.

God hates murder (consider Genesis 4:10 and 2 Samuel 12:10), and He punishes injustice (Jeremiah 22:3-5 ad infinitum). He is not blind to the evil or this world, nor is He deaf to the cries of the suffering. He Himself is no stranger to sorrow.

God’s children should be first responders in every crisis. We should weep with those who weep. We should love as He loves. We should give as He gives. We should listen as He listens and comfort as He comforts. Be His ambassador by showing His love, and be ready to share the hope you have within you when they are ready to listen.

Be assured someday He will wipe away every tear, and He shall reign forever and ever and ever, and we shall reign with Him. He is our portion and our prize. He is our hope.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.