It’s been a traumatic week for Cape Town. Merciless attacks resulting in the brutal murder of two young girls have shocked the city and reminded us of the dark evil that lurks within our beautiful borders.
David’s words from Psalm 55 struck a chord with me…verses 1-5
“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught…”
I have held my head in my hands and pleaded for the Lord to be with the families of those who have died.
So, so tragic.
There is no way to make this ‘all right’. While as a Christian, I live in hope of the better world that is to come, while here on earth, life will never be the same for these families. The immense shock and horror at all that has happened will stay with them for life. There will always be pain and sadness. As they bring to mind the name and face of their beloved daughter, their hearts will ache from this day to their last. This should not have happened. Evil men robbed them of a most precious possession. This should not be.
My response, within my heart is one of anger. Anger at the vicious brutality of it all. Anger at the abuse of power. Anger at the violation of vulnerable young girls. I’m also angry at how it affects me. I have walked in Tokai forest and enjoyed its tranquillity and beauty. They turned it into a killing ground. How can I be sure when I joyfully go walking in our beautiful city that I won’t be attacked? I can’t live my life in fear, but I have to be sensible.
Picture by Monique Mortlock EWN
But even this should not be. I long for a day when I can walk the mountains alone, marvelling at the beauty of creation. But I do not believe I will be able to do this while on this earth. I am sure I will have plenty of opportunity to admire far more exquisite beauty in the life to come.
In the meantime, all I can do is pray. Pray for justice. Pray for peace. Pray for God to do away with the evil on this earth. To stay sane, I can do no more than surrendering it all to Jesus. He knows what is going on. Nothing escapes His notice. These deeds will not go unpunished. He has these young girls in His grip. They are safe now.
All I can do is pray out the final 8 words written by David in Psalm 55:23b
But as for me, I trust in You.
Just Trust.
I can’t bear the thought of going through life living in fear of evil. I will trust God and surrender all that I have to Him. I will live in hope. God is not mocked. He will have the final say.
In His Grip,
Helga xx