Crime Spree

I have heard stories of people who go sideways and go on a crime spree. When a person goes on a crime spree of murder, it seems like the world stops until he or she can be stopped. There are too many of these situations where a person plans and prepares to kill as many people as he/she can before they get killed or caught. It is a senseless tragedy when one person kills an innocent person who just happened to be in that particular place.

I’m so thankful for our skilled law enforcement who relentless pursues the perpetrator of such a crime and then our justice system prosecutes them and keeps them away from the public.

God is the Creator of Life – I believe that He hates murder and death. I do believe He sees death here in this life way different than I do because He sees the eternal side of life. All I know is the life I’m currently living here and now.  His Word points to eternal life quite often and in great detail. This life sets up eternal life.

The story in Jeremiah continues with this evil guy, Ishmael who secretly murders the governor that had been appointed by the Babylonian, along with his staff (I’m guessing at least 5-10). He then murders 70 more people who came to Jerusalem to worship. He throws all the bodies in a cistern and skips town. Some of the other renegade leaders get together to stop this guy. Check this out….

¹¹ When Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him heard about all the crimes Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed, ¹² they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They caught up with him near the great pool in Gibeon. ¹³ When all the people Ishmael had with him saw Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers who were with him, they were glad. ¹⁴ All the people Ishmael had taken captive at Mizpah turned and went over to Johanan son of Kareah. ¹⁵ But Ishmael son of Nethaniah and eight of his men escaped from Johanan and fled to the Ammonites. (Jeremiah 41:11-15 NLT)

It seems a bit crazy to me to think of the lawlessness that was taking place in Jerusalem. It sounds like the proper protection wasn’t left behind in Jerusalem after the Babylonians took over. The punishment carried out by the Babylonians could have been prevented if the people had simply listened to Jeremiah and his messages from the Lord.

There are often many warning signs before someone goes on a crime spree. I would be wise to carefully observe people who appear unstable and disconnected from others. They might just be spiraling toward a crime spree of their own. I used to really push for their death because of the lives they’ve taken. I find myself pulling for their repentance, remorse and salvation because they are a person created by God in His image. He desires a relationship with them. That person is also someone’s brother, son, possibly dad or friend.

I want to seek the heart of God in the midst of any chaos that might be part of my world. I want to trust Him even when my world goes sideways or upside down. He is steady and faithful. I can trust Him to bring peace to my heart in the middle of any storm or crime spree. His Presence in me changes my perspective on everything.

Pressing On!

Dwayne