We think we are used to tragedies. Daily, hourly, we read and hear of car wrecks, plane crashes, disasters and explosions. Buy rarely do we see the tragedy itself; only the report of what has happened reaches most of us. We seldom see more pictures of wrecked cars or ruined buildings.
The explosion of the space shuttle Challenger was different. Millions of people felt as though it had happened before their very eyes. As a clinical psychologist said, “What we saw was the moment of death.
It reminded us of our fragileness and it numbed everybody.”
“Fragile.” Yes, that is the right word. Man was created “in the image of God.” He was given “dominion... over all the earth.” And God gave man the intelligence to build tremendous machines that go out into space: circling the earth, exploring the moon, probing the far reaches of our planetary system. Are there any limits to what man can do?
Well, the shuttle is one of the most powerful machines ever built but it cannot fly through the lightest rain because its heat insulation tiles are so fragile.” Fragile. That word again.
Isaiah the prophet said this: "Surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever."
If we are like "grass" we may well realize our "fragileness." Today we may mourn our neighbor's tragedy; tomorrow could well be our turn, but "The word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:25.
What is the "gospel"?
"It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.
Believe what?
Why, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31. It is one of God's sure promises. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:9.
The heat shield of the Challenger was fragile. The human beings inside were fragile. But the fragile human being who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ can say, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth." Psa. 28:7.
Fragile, yes. Mortal, yes. But—"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36. "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. Everlasting life, life eternal—"even life forevermore"! What a prospect for the fragile mortal who believes in Him and receives that freely-offered gift: "The gift of God... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.