I watched the television coverage of the carnage in Nice after that man plunged his big rig down a street crowded with people – men, women and children, of multiple ethnicities and nationalities – all celebrating the French independence day, Bastille Day. A horrific scene.

It is hard to understand how one could even  conceive such a thing much less carry it out. It is evil meant to terrify.

Then all the shootings of police officers – assassinations really. Gunned down in cold blood while they were on duty protecting not only their community but the ones who gunned them down. When they left home that morning and said goodbye to their family, they had no idea this would be their last time. It’s heart breaking.

And our political leaders and pundits show little compassion as they immediately press their own agenda. Horrible. They are even worse than Job’s 3 friends. At least they sat with Job and  waited 7 days before hey spoke. Maybe we should make that a policy…do not try to speak into someone’s grief for 7 days – just sit with them.

What would Jesus do? Mourn with those that mourn and weep with those who weep. God’s own job description for Jesus was, “To bring good news to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, To grant to those who mourn in Zion, giving them instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Did our leaders even try to follow Jesus’ example? The whole point of comfort and gladness is that God will be glorified. To point the mourning and grief-stricken to God and His mighty character. Not some political agenda. How tawdry!

As Christian’s let’s pick up the mantle they dropped before it is too late and point to God and His unchanging character for a culture that is dying.