“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:52–54)

I was shocked at the assassination attempt on former President Trump. I remember the Kennedy assassination and the attempts on the lives of Ford and Reagan. These involved people who felt the need to effect major and immediate change, presumably to make life better in this world.

The assassin and Simon Peter share this: Both wanted change and were willing to harm others to accomplish it.

Both missed the obvious. God not only has sole authority over death (Deuteronomy 32:39) but can also effect sudden, immediate, and immense change all by himself. In other words, he not only commands us not to murder but assures us that good will come even when things look bad (Romans 8:28).

So what is the problem?

We are flawed listeners (Matthew 13:13-15) and don’t trust God (Proverbs 3:5-7; Isaiah 30:1-2). It was Simon Peter’s instinct to live by the sword and to act like events of this world supersede anything else Christ had revealed. In the story of Peter in Gethsemane, we see what happens when we forget to listen and trust. In the assassination attempt on former President Trump, we can see what happens when we travel too far down that wrong road.

We are told that wickedness will increase, and love will grow cold (Matthew 25:12). Contrary to the notions of evolution, things are not getting better but worse. With time, God’s children will be increasingly troubled by what is happening. The best advice is to listen to and obey God (Romans 2:13) and trust him (Jeremiah 17:7).

Where there could be vengeance, leave it to the Lord (Romans 12:19). Where you think you can make things better but it requires you to sin, don’t fall for it (Romans 3:8).

The reason for human existence is to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We do that by doing his will (1 John 5:3), even when we think we have a better idea (Isaiah 55:8-9).