THE EDIFICE COMPLEX

Abstract

M. Christopher Boyer 11/15/2015 1 A passage of Scripture which foretells destruction seems eerily prescient today. The world is still reeling from the terrorist attacks in Paris o n Friday night which killed over 125 people. Almost overlooked are similar attacks in Beirut, wh ere nearly 50 died, and in Baghdad, where 20 were killed, most in a funeral at a mosque. Sadly, we have become inured to news of violence from the Middle East, where it seems that there hav e been wars and rumors of wars nearly continuously since the time of Jesus. But the loss of life is just as tragic; the grief, just as profound. All around the world, innocent men, wome n, and children are dying for the sake of “great causes” to which they are only tangentially related. Now more than ever, it seems, we need the reassuring presence of Jesus. Now, more t han ever, it seems, we need the reminder of the faith of Hannah, whose song in praise of God’s mercy we used as our Call to Worship this morning. We must cling to the promise that God wil l protect the weak and raise the poor from the dust of destruction.