'Though the fig tree does not bud and there were no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.' Habakkuk 3:17-18
On the 26 Mar 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA, police brutality caused the death and murder of black American, George Floyd. A dramatic 8 minutes video that went viral worldwide, showed footage of a white American policeman pressing his knees on George's neck against the sidewalk curb. For 8 minutes George's pleas of "I can't breathe" failed to receive any mercy until he died.
This brutal killing reignited deep-seated anger over police killings and racism. For the next 7 days, more than 75 US cities saw protests as thousands poured into these streets, which only a few days ago were deserted because of Corona virus lock-down. Unfortunately the protests soon turned violent. All over the USA, looting, burning and clashes with law enforcement became rampant. For many, these civil violence and outrage reflect years of frustration over socio-economic inequality and discrimination were still lurking in the USA.
Adam Edgerly of NewSong church in LA, in a sermon 'The Struggle for Justice' eloquently pointed out the reality of current deep-seated, oftentimes hidden, discrimination against people of colour all around the world. He warned that God will not stand for this grievous sin and will bring His judgement to bear on all of us and maybe using even the current violence that we are seeing. The prophet Habakkuk predicted that God will use the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the ensuing rampage as an instrument of His corrective action for the sins of His people, the Israelites. This sermon is recommended for your listening.
Neither the Rev Edgerly nor Habakkuk were suggesting that Christians should use violence, looting or killings as retribution for injustices. Vengeance, rightly so, belongs only to God. God's people's way should be peaceful non-violent protest.
The finest example of a peaceful confrontation against discrimination also happened in the USA. The late Rev Martin Luther King led a peaceful protest of thousands of Americans, white, black and of all colours through the streets of Washington DC, culminating in the famous, 'I have a Dream' speech. He began the speech with, "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down
in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in
the history of our nation." It was a peaceful protest led by a godly person for God's people. One sentence of that speech is worth repeating, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day
live in a nation, where they will not be judged by the colour
of their skin but by the content of their character."
Many of Dr King's dreams did come true in the USA but unfortunately, racial discrimination still lurks not only in America but also in nearly all parts of the world. Societies remain fragmented. Timothy Keller wrote in The Prodigal Prophet, "We cannot all put our own self-interests ahead of the common good and still have a functioning society." (Ref 1)
Could the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukraine war and the violence we see on the streets be a part of God's recrimination against such sins and injustices?
Timothy Keller wrote "The dismaying news is that every act of disobedience has a storm attached to it. This is not to say that every difficult thing that comes into our lives is the punishment for some particular sin. The Bible does not say that every difficulty is the result of sin but it does teach that every sin will bring you into difficulty." (Ref 1)
It is not fruitful to speculate on God's vengeance. Instead of speculation, let's think of God's intention for all of God's people to live in harmony. This was the same sentiment expressed by the late Dr King in his speech. Let's echo the words of this old song by the Ray Conniff singers, 'Harmony'
In the words of St Paul,
'Live in harmony with everyone. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position...If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.' Romans 12:16 and 18
The time has come, let us begin
With all our voices joining in
To sing of love and brotherhood
People doing what they should to
With all our voices joining in
To sing of love and brotherhood
People doing what they should to
Help their fellow man decree
And fill this land with harmony
The young and old, the rich, the poor
Making sounds, never heard before
Harmony! harmony!
Let's all join in harmony
Sing away the hurt and fear
A great new dream will soon be here
Let's all join in harmony
Sing away the hurt and fear
A great new dream will soon be here
Like the shepherd guards his sheep
Watch your children as they sleep
Like the potter turns his clay
Help to shape a better day, and
Let us sing a song of love
There's one thing I'm certain of
Love will fill the hearts of men
Peace will come on earth…
Watch your children as they sleep
Like the potter turns his clay
Help to shape a better day, and
Let us sing a song of love
There's one thing I'm certain of
Love will fill the hearts of men
Peace will come on earth…
Lionel
Ref 1: Timothy Keller, The Prodigal Prophet, Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy Hodder and Stoughton 2018.
Updated article. First published 4 June 2020
