Article May 27, 2013 Issue

Standing watch in thought

Katie Mangelsdorf

In a community where violence, hatred, fear, and apathy appeared prevalent in thought, there abode beneath that angry realm of conversation and action a quiet—a watchful atmosphere of Christly love. This selfless, vigilant love was exercised daily by a few through their prayers to God for the men, women, and children in their small town. Their prayers brought healing to this community.

Was this the story of Nehemiah, or Lot, or Daniel? Or did it take place in one of the towns where Jesus walked? It could have, but no—it was a community in the United States. Some residents there recognized that we can learn from these Bible stories exactly what we need to be doing today, right now, to bring healing and protection to our schools, churches, malls, movie theaters, street corners, and homes everywhere.

Our first duty is to acknowledge the omnipotence of God, good. A wonderful, inspired thought is revealed in the book of Revelation in the Bible: “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (19:6). That means only good reigns, and its opposite, evil, has no place or influence in God’s creation. After all, God, good, can create nothing unlike Himself. The first chapter of Genesis sets our thought firmly on this foundational truth of creation: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (verse 31).