The bombing in Boston has shaken us again. We will be on the lookout again for the perpetrators, and then we will ask, “WHY?”

In our time, we are fixated on “WHY” as if we should somehow be exempt from problems. Somehow violence needs to be “over there” and not “here.”

Violence is a part of the human condition. A world in rebellion will breed violence in some way. It might be somewhat more “acceptable” in some ways… like abortion… or violence against women and young children in sex trafficking…. or undocumented in slave labor… but a world in rebellion is going to manifest violence in some way and we are not exempt.

It is not a condition new to our day.

² How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
³ Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
⁴ Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted. (Hab. 1:2-4, NIV)

Our hearts grieve. The loss hurts. We want “justice,” and probably “justice” will come in some way on this event… and then another event will roll around and we will feel that shock all over again.

Lord, we are a people in rebellion and our hardened hearts breed violence in every way imaginable. Help us to surrender our hearts and lives to the King of all kings so we may know the blessedness of being ones who bring peace instead of violence.