To Protect and to Serve

Today I'm not writing a feel-good blog, rather something that is real and a reminder of a different law and order from the original Septuagint. For those who don't know, the Septuagint is a Greek version of the Hebrew Bible better known as the "Old Testament," including the Apocrypha, made for Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, (before Christ) and adopted by the early Christian Churches. Today will be a tiny insight of what we know as law enforcement, police, county sheriff's deputies, highway patrol. This happened, it is sad, it is real. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people. Why did God allow his son to be cruelly tortured, beaten and killed in such a horrific way as crucifixion.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:4

The typical adult, when leaving for work in the morning will sit behind the steering wheel of his or her automobile mentally planning and preparing for the day. Law Enforcement Officers, on the other hand have chosen a different, less defined path in life. They place themselves at the forefront to assure the safety of citizens of their community. When they kiss their wives or husbands and children goodbye (or some maybe a 'high-five') before they leave the safety and comfort of their homes to go on duty for the day, they don't know what obstacles they will face. Will they see their friends and families at the end of the day? God has given us all a particular talent and while growing and maturing in our early years, we begin to understand what God's intent is for how we contribute to society, and we pursue that race with passion. That simply defines law enforcement. Whatever we do in life, whatever profession we choose, that is God's gift to us for how we contribute to our society.

Use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Ephesians 4:28

On a hot Friday summer evening twenty-eight-year-old Master Deputy Bradley Link had just completed an extra duty security detail and was on his way home to be with his wife. He heard radio traffic regarding a fight in progress. so decided to respond and assist other deputies since he was in the area for where the call was referring. He sent a text to his wife letting her know he would be a little late. Following the example of what he had been taught from the scriptures growing up, and dedicating himself to his profession, he knew it was his responsibility to respond. Following through with what he had taught those training under him, deputy Link did not hesitate. He knew it was his duty to assist. He believed it and followed through with that belief. The scene was chaotic. A lady was assaulting her neighbors and was trying to lure them to her home. Arriving on scene he learned that a possible home invasion had taken place, and people were seen running inside the residence, there were broken windows and two dead dogs in front of that residence. Deputy Link took the lead position in the stack of deputies as they entered the home for a wellbeing check for those inside to assure no one was injured and to assist with and call for medical care if it was needed. This is standard operating procedure for law enforcement in situations like this. Entering the home the deputies were ambushed, and deputy Link was shot several times with a high-powered rifle and collapsed to the ground. In the hail of gunfire and while trying to crawl for cover, Brad was able to return suppressing fire until he was out of ammunition. The sheriff revealed that his bravery and will to fight allowed the other deputies to safely retreat out of the home. An immediate attempt to rescue deputy Link was met with overwhelming gunfire and resulted in additional deputies being shot. A female from within the residence, as she was brandishing a firearm yelled out, "My king will kill all of you. You are Lucifers Children."

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

This is exactly one of the lies told by Satan to these assailants making them believe what they said. Their lies become their reality.

Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Romans 3:13

Unaware of the chaos and this tragic event and being concerned for her husband as it was getting late, his wife called his cell phone. One of the assailants in the home removed Brads phone from his person and answered that call. The assailant asked, "Who is this?" His wife said "I'm Brad's wife, who are you?" The assailant responded, "So you say that you are supposedly the dead man's wife."

To receive a response like that is nothing less than pure evil from the lips of the one who was cast away from God's Glory. It is sick minded.

For the look on their faces bears witness against them: they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. Isiah 3:9

Speaking at his Celebration of Life service his friends and colleagues spoke highly of him not only as an officer of the law, but as a highly respected man of faith. They considered him a leader and roll model. One of the deputies who worked with him considered him an inspirational field training officer. She said he taught her patience and how to be slow, safe and tactical. He motivated his coworkers as another deputy considered him as one who was a man of God and who selflessly desired to serve others. The department Chaplin spoke of the need to "make sure you make your life makes sense in the light of eternity." He said deputy Link followed that example.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

God has set eternity in our hearts having the intuitive awareness that life does not stop at the grave. Years ago, Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr said that "Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history, therefore we must me saved by faith."

We are surrounded by evil, and it comes in many forms. Continually we need to wear the armor of God and be aware of the half-truths we are told through Satan. Continually wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.: but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:13-14

The bottom line here is that the assailants were trying to lure their neighbors into their residence so they could kill them. The neighbors called 9-1-1 and the Sheriff's deputies responded. In so doing, they not only did their jobs, but they were also the shield for the community with deputy Link laying down his life for the glory of God to protect the innocent.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Only God honestly knows the answer to that question. Is it because of the original sin and part of God's purpose? Will it help people to grow into Christ's likeness and live more godly lives? Will it help people develop patience, compassion, and empathy and make them more sensitive to others who are suffering? Perhaps these things help people draw closer to God and trust in him for hope and comfort.

Earlier I quoted something that the Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr said but I will put it in full context:

And this quote is so profound it will take time to actually process what this theologian is trying to tell us. They aren't just words; it is a process how God has planned for us to live our lives.

Nothing, that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore, we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.

From our standpoint this is probably one of the toughest things in life to do and accomplish, but it comes from the book of Ephesians:

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32