Attempted Assassination
A 31-year-old man from California is in custody and charged with attempted assassination after he allegedly attempted to charge through Secret Service security during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC on Saturday. The suspect was armed with two firearms and multiple knives, and gunfire was exchanged, though reports suggest only a secret service agent was hit. The agent was struck in a protective vest and avoided serious injury. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated while other guests took cover, and the event was eventually postponed.
Investigating officials say the suspect emailed friends and family just before the attack and called himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
Analysis and eternal perspective: This story is the latest in a long line of attempted attacks on President Trump. Political violence has been on the rise for some time but seems to have escalated even more in recent years. There are likely many reasons and explanations, including political rhetoric and polarization, mental health challenges, and decreased civic cohesion.
Ultimately, however, the state of society and culture is a reflection of its spiritual health. Luke 6:45 reminds us, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.” It is true for individuals, and it is true for wider society. Division and separation from God portend to chaos.
As a Jesus follower, you serve a God who draws close to the brokenhearted (Ps. 34:18). It is the same God who tasked you with humbling yourself in prayer for your land, and Who promised to hear you and respond to you with healing (2 Chron. 7:14).
Left to its own accord, the current violence and discord is certain to continue and even to escalate. But if we will be a people drawn to humility and prayer, the everlasting God will hear us from on high and will indeed come to calm the storm.