Old Ground
Yesterday, May 24, 2022, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, with at least 1 gun, maybe more, and opened fire. By the time it was over, at least 19 children and 2 adults were dead. Ramos was also gunned down.
Almost immediately and as expected, the cry for harsher gun-control laws rang out. I won’t get into the politics of such laws; I’m only here to say that Biblically speaking, they won’t stop the carnage.
In writing about another shooting massacre here in the U.S., I am, of course, going over old ground. Mass shootings in the U.S. are increasing, and there is only so much I can say about them which I haven’t said before.
Therefore, I’ll be brief, but I will give the links below to previous articles I’ve written on this subject.
The Reason
Of course politicians and the talking heads in the media will blame governmental officials of the two main parties, and others will point to the need for greater gun control. There is some merit to these arguments, but not much.
The reason for the carnage here in the U.S., and all Western nations, is not earthly, but spiritual.
Regarding the U.S., we are a nation founded on Judeo-Christian ethics, but have spent the past century or so denying these ethics. We have told God again and again to leave us alone, and this is precisely what He is doing.
I believe that for much of our history, the Lord has, to a degree, provided a protective hedge over us. After all, in the modern era at least, war has not touched our shores – whether through land, sea, or air.
Rather, the U.S. has been imploding. Attacks have been coming from within, and they are dividing our nation and eroding our confidence and security.
The divisions in the U.S. are extensive on every level – racially, politically, morally, and religiously – and, as long as we continue to forsake God, we will continue to erode from within.
Has God “ordained” the terrible occurrences happening within our borders? I don’t believe so. Rather, I believe He is continually pulling back his protective hedge and allowing natural and Satanically-induced evil to have its way.
And speaking of Satan, if an individual is so inclined to massacre a number of people, despite the strictest of gun laws, Satan is perfectly capable of supplying the would-be killer with everything he needs to get the job done.
The Only Answer
Gun-control laws and different sets of politicians running our nation won’t solve anything.
The only answer for the U.S. is for us to fall on our collective faces, confess our rampant sin, and seek God’s mercy. Only then, by living in obedience to the God of all creation, will the shootings and other such tragedies end.
Personally, I don’t see this happening. I believe America – and the rest of the West – has surpassed the point of no return.
Judgment is drawing near. Yet, God still holds out the opportunity for forgiveness. It is still in our grasp, but quickly slipping away.
In the meantime, pray for those whose lives have been shattered by the most recent shootings (loved ones of the lost), and that somehow, someway, salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ will arise out of the tragic ashes.
Another Tragedy and More Mindless Drivel from the Media
17 Slain: Just Another Day in Satan’s Playground
Vegas, Tom Petty, and the Real Tragedy
What Paris Should Remind Us Of
Are Natural Catastrophes, Mass Shootings God’s Judgment?
EttingerWriting.com 
Tom
May 25, 2022
David, thanks for this thoughtful reaction to the tragic mass-shooting yesterday. We’ve both been around for 60+ years and I know you agree with me that circumstances are getting bad. Very bad. We believers are pilgrims and sojourners in a nation and in a world that appear to be “coming apart at the seams.” Our confidence is in God and His Word and we are on a mission.
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
Exactly and perfectly said, Tom.
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vicklea
May 25, 2022
Good, eye-opening and thought-pondering post. As I said online when people were ranting about gun control. It’s not ultimately the gun’s fault; it is the sinful heart of the people who do not value human life, from the smallest to the oldest. Life has become expendable, and God has been put on a back burner. Thus, we have this unthinkable tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, but I am honestly tired of the political right and left making hay and trying to gain votes after such events. Show some humanity, people! Show that you cared about the individuals who were killed and will never grow older. Don’t rant about guns. Rant about sin. Good post, David! I am re-blogging it.
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
Great thoughts, Vickie. I totally agree.
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Katherine
May 25, 2022
As a mother of small children, News like this breaks my heart. The wicked have no desire to turn from their ways so I do not think God will heal our land.
People under a demonic stronghold will cause harm with or without guns.
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
Precisely. Expertly said, Katherine.
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Lisa Beth
May 25, 2022
True, all true David.
More gun control is futile on many levels but you’re right, violence is unleashed notwithstanding and there us no corraling it.
We have worked hard to scrub God out of everything, even the apostate church stands as proof.
Before His cup of wrath starts to pour, our almighty God need only abandon us, a prelude to judgment.
“The wages of sin is death” – we’re getting paid more and more everyday.
May God fire up our bones to preach the truth.
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
Amen. So well said, Lisa Beth.
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Blue Collar Theologian
May 25, 2022
I agree with your thoughts, David. The heart is deceitfully wicked and no government system, no social program, no anything apart from Christ will fix the world’s heart/sin problems. I agree with Lisa about the apostate church joining the world in erasing Christ. I am thankful David that you are not ashamed of the gospel, keep pressing on!
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
Thank you, Mandy. You, as well.
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heavensreef
May 25, 2022
No government of ours will fix any of these problems……I agree that GOD is pulling back his protective hand from us. And I pray more people will see this evil and turn from their own way and call out to the LORD to save them. Let us realize we are in an all out spiritual battle these days…….praying with you for these poor families that have to bury their little ones due to this senseless tragedy.
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dettinger47
May 25, 2022
So well said, Maxine.
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seekingdivineperspective
May 25, 2022
“We have told God again and again to leave us alone, and this is precisely what He is doing.” That IS the bottom line, isn’t it? The bombing on Oklahoma City years ago was done with explosives made from fertilizer, and yet people still clamored for more gun control. Evil minds aren’t rational, and I am tired of trying to reason about these things. Only God can open people’s eyes, so I will continue to pray for loved ones sucked into the mindset of the day.
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dettinger47
May 26, 2022
That’s the best way to go about it, Annie. I limit my arguing far more than in earlier years. Praying for God to open unsaved eyes is by far the best course!
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lawkh
August 3, 2022
Touch my heart
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