As a wife and Christian, my heart aches for Erika Kirk and her two precious children. We are trying to make sense of the tragedy that took her husband, Charlie, from her and her children. Those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ realize that Charlie is alive in heaven, rejoicing and praising His Savior. Charlie is still alive; his address has merely changed from earth to eternity in heaven. Charlie knew that our hope was in the Lord!
While pondering this senseless act, I was reminded of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his own brothers and ended up in Egypt. Through the providence of the Lord, Joseph rose to prominence in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. Because of a severe famine, he brought his father, brothers, and their families to Egypt and took care of them. Once his father, Jacob, died, the brothers were afraid Joseph would retaliate for selling him into slavery. Joseph eloquently stated in Genesis 50 the following: “But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” If you aren’t familiar with this true story, read about Joseph in Genesis chapters 39 to 50.
Charlie would be brokenhearted at leaving his family without a husband and father, but I know that he understood that God was ultimately in control of the future. As a human I struggle with Charlie’s senseless death; it seems tragic that a young man of 31 years was taken from us in his prime. However, if we believe that God is in control and nothing takes Him by surprise, we must believe this happened for a purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Furthermore, the Scripture declares in Job 12:10, “In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” The Scriptures make it clear the answer to this question is the Lord.
As finite beings, we can’t understand an infinite God. Our minds ask, “Why would God allow this to happen?” The truth is that we probably won’t understand the “why” this side of heaven. In Isaiah 55:8-9, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'” There are some mysteries we won’t understand while bound as mortals on this earth.
A promise found in Psalm 68:5, “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows…” My prayer is that Erika Kirk and her children will feel the presence of Almighty God in their daily lives while grieving for their husband and daddy. There will be a profound sense of loss in their lives, and I would like to call upon Christians to pray daily for this family. Pray that the Lord would be very near to them, ease their pain, and meet their needs. We need to uphold them with our love, support, and prayers and allow them the time and grace they need to heal during this time of sadness and loss.
We don’t know what the outcome of the senseless tragedy will be; perhaps there will be a Christian revival in our country. As a result of Charlie’s death, many people are asking questions about God, the Bible, and the church. I read on X that people are wanting to try church and learn about this Jesus that Charlie was talking about. What better remembrance of Charlie Kirk’s life than many people coming to know Christ as their Savior?
This tragedy could potentially bring many to Christ and thwart the evil we fight against. God works in ways we cannot understand. Ephesians 6:11-12 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We need to remember that our enemy is not of this world.
I urge all of us who are the body of Christ to keep the Kirks in prayer, to witness about Christ at every opportunity, and to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). We are called to bring Christ and His Light to the world. Let’s all be like Charlie and speak of Jesus to everyone.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org