Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

NOTE: Glenn Olson, retired Captain of the McHenry County Illinois Police Department, replied to a devotion that I had written which mentioned the Virginia Tech shootings. His reply was beautifully said, and I asked to have him rewrite it into the devotion that follows. ~Ken Klaus


In my devotion on April 27th, True Wisdom, I (Pastor Klaus) said, “I think it is sad that a college student who kills 32 people gets more front-page coverage than the Savior who has redeemed millions from death and hell.”


Dr. Klaus, yes, it is sad, but consider this. Christ was there. He was evident throughout the day and the many days afterward.

I retired in June 2006 after serving thirty-three years as a sheriff’s police captain for a northwest collar county in the suburbs of Chicago. As a police captain in charge of field operations, I was routinely summoned and became involved in many grisly, heinous cases. Whether it was a criminal offense or tragic car crash, I quickly learned that bad things happen to good people. When tragedy occurs and people are at their lowest, they reach to the heavens for strength and call upon His name for help. Yes, I agree the media routinely denies Him, and they sensationalize the criminal act. But no matter how hard the media may choose to deny the message of His love, that message still resonates from deep within the suffering.

I have seen many people that were estranged from the church or did not worship, begin holding hands with others praying in His name and asking for comfort, healing, and support. I have personally prayed with victims and have seen the miracle of Christ working quietly. That day the news coverage could not hide the praying hands or censor the people requesting our prayers. Christ was there. He was there for anyone willing to open their hearts.

I belong to the FCPO, the “Fellowship of Christian Police Officers”. In our monthly meetings, the individual testimonies speak to the many ways in which Christ leads our paths. Hopefully, through us, others may know Him. At Virginia Tech that fateful day, I know that many emergency workers quietly called His name asking for safety and His guiding hands. The media may try to deny Him, but He was there.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being there when tragedy strikes. Thank you for holding the grieving families, the emergency workers, and the victims in Your loving arms. Please continue to help those so deeply affected by that terrible day. Let those who want to deny Your presence see that through all the pain and suffering, You are there. In Jesus' name, Amen.




Have questions about why tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech occur?

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Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 23    Psalms 54    Psalms 63    Luke 22:47-71

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