*Pastor’s Note: I was looking for something a bit thought-provoking and as I was browsing through one of my favorite source books that I have used often, I read this following illustration. Now understand that this article and the book associated with it was published in 1995 and yet in the light of today, how right were/are these insights of the writer, Virgil Hurley and especially today. If anything, it is so much more obvious to those of us who are Christians and those who have NOT been swayed by the very media outlets so many look too!

All I can truly say, is this should give us ample reason to pray all the more fervently!!

Deuteronomy 13:11, “Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.”

Acts 5:6, “The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.”

Acts 5:11, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”

Just Show It On TV

In its report on the Los Angeles riots in 1992, the Webster Commission concluded that live television coverage exacerbated the looting and violence. It was an unintended message, the Commission concluded, but seeing law enforcement officials respond slowly to the emergency emboldened those who would have been reluctant to steal had an alert police presence been in the riot areas. A media feeding frenzy sizzles with any catastrophe, war, or sensational murder. It happened at the Lindbergh trial, it happened in the big city riots of the 1960s, the Los Angeles riots of 1992, and reached perhaps its highest temperature in the trial of O. J. Simpson.

The main problem with media coverage is that it offers no value judgment on what it portrays. The cameraman shoots what is happening and the anchor people may feel free to offer an editorial comment. But it is outside the ability of the media to offer condemnation or acquittal. Only a constituted authority can do that – the police, the courts, and the Bible. Long ago God ordered His people to quickly execute His judgments against lawbreakers so that others, seeing the swift retribution, would be afraid, not emboldened. Given the nature of the media, the lengthy judicial process, and our poor memories, how do we expect to restrain criminals today?

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley copyright © 1995 by Word, Incorporated. Used by permission.

*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Applicable Quotations

You may juggle human laws, you may fool with human courts, but there is a judgment to come, and from it there is no appeal. – Gifford

The nature of all men is so formed that they see and discriminate in the affairs of others, much better than in their own. – Terence

Justice delayed is justice denied. — William E. Gladstone

The payment for sins can be delayed. But they can’t be avoided. – Shawn Ryan