Is there Any Sense to be made of 'collateral damage?'

Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention Today: Acts 12:18-19 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

Observation: I love the line “no small commotion.”

Application: There are times when we are totally bewildered. All the more so when something happens that is beyond our control. One can almost imagine the panic among the soldiers. Their lives were at stake and they had no rational explanation. It does seem a little unfair though. Although soldiers in those days weren’t considered to be the most savory of people, they nevertheless did their job…or in this case, at least tried. They must have been going nuts that morning and understandingly so; they didn’t live to see another day.

This whole scene brings to mind (at least from a human point of view) the presumably unfortunate results of God’s involvement in the world. Much has been written about the people killed in God’s name, but there are also those who perished as a result of humans trying to get at God or God’s people. There were the babies that were killed in an effort to kill Moses as a child. There were the babies that were killed in an effort to kill Jesus as a child. And here we have some soldiers that ended up dead because an angel more powerful than they rescued Peter out of their hands.

I’m not quite sure what to make of all of this. In the military they call it collateral damage, as if it’s just the cost of doing business. But for God, one would think there might be a kinder, gentler way. Guess that’s just another topic for possible discussion when my own time comes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as always, there is much that I do not yet understand. Maybe I will someday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Job 6-8, Acts 12)