Shovels to the Enemy

One observation I’ve heard about Charlie Kirk’s murder is that the devil overplayed his hand. Or, perhaps, it was a demon apprentice who earned a hellish thrashing, if we imagine discipline in a Screwtape sort of fashion. The murder was too public of too reasonable a guy. It gave Erika Kirk too big a platform to say that she forgives the killer. It is making too many people say, “Wait. What?”

Of course it is also making hate more clear. Fools can’t help but express their foolishness, they take pleasure in it (Proverbs 18:2). They are not trying to cool down. They multiply their anger by their bitterness.

They are digging a pit. They are building gallows. They are making deposits in their own wrath account, and there is coming a day when it will be returned to them (Romans 2:5). Haman is a stock character. Be sure your resentments will find you out.

Which is why we preach the cross of Jesus Christ. The message of the cross is the power of God to salvation. For us,

[God canceled] the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:14–15 ESV)

All those who believe the gospel have peace with God. The gospel gives us hope of eternal life. Because of the gospel, we can be humble when we have success and we can have joy when we suffer. This gospel lets us love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and trust that God will either show them grace unto repentance or He will make clear to them why they receive the judgment they wanted to give out.

God is always attentive everywhere. He gives shovels to the enemy, and bread and wine to His people.