Terror in the streets.

“With three police officers killed in separate instances in two months, and calls from some Illinois lawmakers for the National Guard to patrol its most violent streets, Chicago once again finds itself under growing pressure to rein in crime.” Chicago is well on the way to meeting last year’s statistic of almost 500 murders—mostly gang-related. “Chicagoans were alarmed this summer after a series of murders, including the death of an 8-year-old girl who was shot by a stray bullet while skipping rope”—which suggests that streets are not even safe to play in (YahooNews.com, August 30, 2010).

But is “more law enforcement” really the answer, or just a temporary fix? God warned ancient Israel—and hence the Israelite-descended nations—that because of its disobedience, “I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…” (Leviticus 26:16). Later, God inspired Moses to write, “You shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life… because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see” (Deuteronomy 28:66-67). Today, many live in fear in our cities—fearing to walk or even to play.

One day soon, Christ will return and usher in a time of peace, when people no longer oppress or “terrify” others (Psalm 10:18). God speed that day!