What to Remember When Evil Wins   

It was an exciting day for a couple of my grandchildren. One of my grandsons, a middle-schooler, had been invited to run with the high school team in the regionals of their cross-country meet. He outran most of the competitors who towered far above him in height, finishing in second place and helping his team win first place. Meanwhile my granddaughter was participating in a cheerleading competition in which her squad also came out on top. It was a winning day.

It is easy to celebrate when we win. However, we all face times when we find ourselves on the losing end too. That can not only be disappointing in sports competitions, but also when it comes to other areas of life. It can be especially hard to understand and to deal with when it seems that evil, wickedness, or the ungodly prevail in some particular battle. Questions may arise in those moments – “Where was God? Why did He allow this to happen? Couldn’t He have stopped this? What do we do now?”

As we approach another election day there will be winners and losers. Many believe that if their side loses, it will not just be the case of a candidate or political party suffering a loss but an instance of “the wicked” being victorious. Both sides tend to view themselves as being on the high ground morally in certain matters while considering the other side to be evil in some way. Maybe they consider it a battle of good versus evil, or at least a contest between a lesser evil and a greater evil. Either way, many will emerge from this political season with the idea that the ungodly won.

It goes back to a question that is raised numerous times throughout the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah may have expressed it best when he asked, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1). The Bible doesn’t necessarily give us an easy, definitive answer to those questions. The reason why evil prevails, or seems to do so, at any particular moment may be the result of numerous factors. Nevertheless, here are a few truths we can remember in those times.

First of all, God is still in control. Wickedness may win the day, but it is still operating only within the boundaries God has set. Anything it does is not because it is greater than God or has defeated Him. No matter how it appears at the moment, God is still greater and still sits on the throne as King.

That brings us to the next truth, the fact that in spite of evil prospering on this occasion, God is working out and accomplishing His overall plan. He has shown that He can turn bad situations into purposeful ones. He can even use evil people to accomplish His will. Maybe this setback is His judgment. Maybe it is a wake-up call for repentance. Maybe He is giving us what a majority wants even though it isn’t good in order to open our blinded eyes and to get us to turn back to Him. We may not understand why, but we know God’s hand is still at work.

Additionally, we know that God will still be with His faithful followers, helping them to endure whatever they may have to face. He can not only help us survive a setback, but to be faithful witnesses for Him during those difficult times.

Finally, we know that any victory evil wins is only temporary. In the end the wicked will face God’s judgment and the faithful will enjoy God’s eternal favor. So let’s not get too upset or discouraged when evil momentarily prevails. Eventually goodness, righteousness, and God will come out on top.    

 

Be a Light to Those in Need   

Recently I found an old letter that had been sent to our church over thirty years ago from then President George H. W. Bush. It had to do with his emphasis at the time on what he referred to as “points of light.” He encouraged organizations and individuals to get involved in their communities to minister to the needs of others. This particular letter focused on the role churches have played over the years in helping people in need. It called on believers to rededicate themselves to such service.

As I read over this correspondence, I was reminded of how times have changed. It seems like the only letters or phone calls we receive from our leaders these days have to do with supporting their political campaigns. It would be nice for Presidents and other leaders to inspire us to do good for the sake of a better society rather than just encouraging us to do what would be good for their own personal political futures.

Long before former President Bush emphasized this idea of light and helping those in need, Jesus spoke about it to His followers. He told us that we are “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). And part of that shining influence we should have on our world has to do with ministering to those who are suffering or in need. Jesus not only set the example in helping people as He went about doing good, such as healing the sick, but He also taught the importance of our being involved in similar service. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus pictured the nations being divided up into two groups. One group would be commended for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, showing hospitality to strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting those who were sick and in prison. He told those who compassionately ministered in those ways, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). On the other hand, He condemned those who failed to perform those duties for others. He said that “these will go away into everlasting punishment” (25:46).

Serving others and helping the needy is important. Such actions in themselves, along with any other good works we may do, are not what determines our relationship with God or where we are going to spend eternity. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, including ministering to those who are in need. However, if we are trusting Jesus as our Savior, those types of good deeds should result from such a relationship. And the lack of such concern for those around us who are suffering and the failure to take action can be a sign that something isn’t what it should be in our walk with God. Our love for God will compel us to love others and to seek their welfare. The Bible makes it clear that love for God and love for others go hand-in-hand. I was impressed that in the letter from former President Bush this motivation of the love of God was acknowledged. It said, “We cannot measure the good that has sprung from the hearts of people whose love for God has moved them to help someone else.”

The Lord is still calling us to such action today. Out of love for Him and love for others, we need to open our eyes and our hearts to the physical and spiritual needs of people around us. Let’s rededicate ourselves to being points of light in our communities. We can make a difference in the lives of others both now and for eternity.  

 

God Works in Times of Adversity   

We all have likely experienced periods of time in our lives when it seems like one difficulty keeps piling up on top of another. It is like a conveyer belt is delivering problem after problem, adversity after adversity. We have been going through one of those stretches over the past weeks. My wife suffered a life-threatening health crisis in which her long hospital stay resulted in several setbacks and delays. In the area where we live there have been effects from a hurricane and a chemical fire. We haven’t suffered from those events to the extent others have had to endure, but they still impacted us. Additionally, we had to deal with a septic tank issue resulting in dirty laundry and dishes piling up as we waited for repairs. And the recent heavy rains revealed a leak in our roof. I could add other things to the list, but you get the idea.

 In such trying times, it is tempting to give in to a negative or fatalistic viewpoint, to get discouraged, to start complaining, to feel sorry for ourselves, or to become angry. However, our faith in God calls us to seek to have a different spirit. It reminds us that in spite of the difficulties, there are many blessings for which we should be grateful. There are people who are enduring much greater trials than what we are experiencing. For example, our issues seem miniscule in comparison to what some people are suffering as a result of the recent hurricanes. Our faith also assures us that we can trust the fact that God is with us in the tough times. And we believe He is working on our behalf, even able to use the trials in our lives for good purposes.   

Bad things happen. Problems arise. Nevertheless, the Bible tells us that we can not only endure such times, but look for God’s hand at work to bring some good out of those bad situations. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Through the storms in life, God can build character in us that may not be produced any other way. As we have gone through these past weeks, I have found my faith strengthened in various ways. I have seen God answering prayer. I have witnessed some kind of clot or mass in my wife’s heart disappearing without any medical explanation for it happening. I have a fresh appreciation for the support and encouragement of the family of God. We can see how some of the frustrating delays and setbacks may have been used to get us in the right place at the right time with the right medical staff in order for my wife to receive the treatment she needed. Additionally, through these past weeks we have been given opportunities to interact with people with whom we wouldn’t have had contact otherwise – to be an encouragement, to share our faith, to point them to the power of prayer.

I don’t recommend going out looking for hard times in order to experience the benefits that can come from such experiences. I would still have preferred to have avoided much of what we have gone through recently. However, tribulations are going to come. And when they do, face them with faith. Keep trusting God to see you through. Let Him work in you to develop your character through those times. Look for opportunities that may arise in which you can be a blessing and a help to others.

Don’t lose sight of the truth that God is good – all the time – even in times of adversity.

 

Maintain a Christlike Spirit of Compassion   

During my wife’s recent stay in the hospital, I was reminded of the importance of compassion. All of her caregivers seemed to be competent in their duties and adequately took care of her needs. However, we became especially endeared to certain staff members whose attitudes and actions revealed a special measure of compassion. It was obvious that they weren’t simply doing a job but truly cared for the health and comfort of their patients. They went the extra mile to attend to my wife and to make sure she had everything she needed, as well as looking after me while I was present for extended periods of time. When someone so graciously helps you in your time of need, you tend to form a special bond with that person.

Such a spirit of compassion should characterize us as followers of Jesus. After all, He manifested that quality throughout His earthly ministry. We are told of occasions when He had compassion on the multitudes when they came to Him looking for healing, when they were tired and hungry, and when they were like sheep without a shepherd. He lovingly ministered to them in their time of need. Jesus also showed compassion to individuals, healing them of their diseases and ministering to their souls. If this was such a prominent characteristic of Jesus, and if we should be following in His footsteps, then certainly we should be expressing this wonderful quality in our own interactions with others.

Over the centuries the Christian community has been rightfully involved in ministries of compassion. They have often been at the forefront of the building of hospitals, feeding the hungry, caring for the homeless, and providing relief during times of natural disasters. Even as I was writing this, I received notification of a church gathering resources in order to assist those in a neighboring state who were impacted by the recent hurricane. Such actions should be the norm for believers who ought to be known by their love for God and their love for their neighbor. It is a spirit that should not only manifest itself in the work of the organized church but in the daily lives of individual Christians. It should be seen in the way we treat other people, particularly how we respond to the needs of the people we encounter each day.

My concern is that we not lose that spirit of compassion in the midst of our current political and cultural climate. For example, no matter what you might think of government policies concerning immigration, we can still lovingly minister to the needs of the specific immigrants who cross our paths. And in the midst of debates over other social issues, we need to stand up for what is true and right, but at the same time not lose sight of the pain and suffering people may be undergoing. We can uphold biblical principles while still showing mercy and kindness to people in need.   

Additionally, as we face opposition and hostility from certain sectors of society due to our faith, let’s guard against allowing our hearts to grow hard and cold. On the one hand, we may need to be as firm as rocks when it comes to upholding truth and biblical principles. However, at the same time, we need to keep manifesting a gentle, loving spirit – especially being open to any opportunities that come our way to serve those in need.

Having a heart of compassion may be a better witness for Christ and have more of an impact on others than anything else you could say or do. Your act of kindness may mean the world to someone.