Zachery Tims
“…He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” –Proverbs 17:5
“…Let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” –Proverbs 24:17-18
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” –Romans 14:4
To be informed of something regarding a brother or sister in Christ, such as a tragic death or calamity and its cause, is one thing. But to be eagerly anticipating more details about a situation like this indicates that you may not know what spirit you are of. As God’s people, if we are eagerly awaiting the “much anticipated” news about the death of Zachery Tims like the world is, we need to check ourselves and see if our hearts are right with God.
Here is why Zachery Tims’ toxicology results should not be highly ‘anticipated’ and is not really that important:
First, the man is dead! Leave it alone. Stop gawking and move on. It may be important to his family and his church for insurance purposes; but for you, take note and keep stepping.
Second, he is God’s servant and God did with him what He willed. And the truth is, even though you may think you know why, you really don’t. The Bible tells us in Romans 14:4, “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” I am also reminded of what Jesus told Peter regarding John in John 21:20-23: “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?”
I like the title of Lutisha Lovely’s new novel, Mind Your Own Business. Go and do thou likewise.
Third, whatever God wanted to warn you of or teach you through this tragic situation, you should have it by now. If you don’t, read what J. Lee Grady wrote about this matter at this link. J. Lee Grady does not claim to be a prophet, but he is, and you, dear preacher, or whoever you are, will do well to listen to what he has to say. By the way, J. Lee Grady did not write that article titled “What We Must Learn From the Zachery Tims Tragedy” in a pharisaical spirit of gloating, condemnation, or ‘I told you so’. He wrote it out of a genuine heart of love and concern, and it needed to be written.
Fourth, the people of God should have a spirit of meekness, humility, and sorrow regarding a matter like this. We should not be condemning, judgmental, and pharisaical in our spirit. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:5, “He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”
Fifth, all pastors, church leaders, and Christians everywhere ought to have the attitude and spirit that says “but for the grace of God, there go I.” The truth of the matter is, no pastor, church leader, or individual Christian, including Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, and Rick Warren, would be where they are today, if it had not been for the grace and mercy of God.
Sixth, most people have already concluded in their minds what happened in this situation. For example, most people have already concluded that God took Zachery Tims on home to Heaven because he refused to obey His commandments, so releasing the toxicology results probably will not change their minds.
So, when and if the toxicology results for Zachery Tims comes out, whether it is negative or positive, have the right heart and spirit about the matter, and let it go.
