It’s just too bad that sometimes it takes a long time for evil to get its rightful due.”
–B.N. Rundell (Montezuma)
“Doom to those who call evil good and good evil, who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who make bitterness sweet and sweetness bitter.”
–Isaiah 5:20 (CEB)
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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Romans 12:21 (NIV)
What will you leave behind? Fingerprints are a means by which we track our criminals, the means by which we keep records of those who have broken the law. Footprints are marks by which we follow our heroes, those who guide us along the trek of life. So, again, I ask, what will you leave behind? Look at the news and it is easy to see that we live in a world of evil. Evil brought on by the foolish following of our sins.
Evil can never be conquered by evil. However, evil can be thwarted by justice, and if we read the Bible we know that Jesus came to defeat evil. One day evil will be no more, but until that time what do we do with the evil that is around us? I have heard that some lose faith, they live in fear because it seems that evil abounds. They have lost the fight. They have succumbed to the forces of evil and let them win.
Jeremiah lamented over the evil that beset Israel. Elijah groaned, believing that he alone was the only faithful person left. God had to redirect his thoughts, saying, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18, NKJV) No matter what it looks like, there is always someone, somewhere that is living a life pleasing to God, a life that He recognizes as one of His. No matter how evil and unfaithful man is God reminds us that His plans will never be shaken, dismissed, or thwarted. Look at the riots–evil. However, there are good people who live there as well.
Some will jeer that they are the silent ones and are not doing the will of God. But perhaps we need more silent ones. Individuals who habitually pray without fear, without making a foolish mockery of their prayers like the Pharisee who would pray proudly. When we see the riots, prayer is needed, justice is needed; but do not fear, evil will not prevail. Yes, it is true that the innocent may be hurt or even killed. But remember, God takes note of that in the eternal annals, and justice will truly prevail. When we read of the tribulation, that most evil time on earth, there will be a remnant that will come through. A remnant of David’s kingdom who finally recognizes Jesus as the Messiah.
Back to the first question–what will you leave behind? Will you leave fingerprints of a doer of evil? Will you leave footprints so that your children and others can follow you on the gloryland road to heaven? Do you guard your heart, and the truth that resides there or will you succumb to the fear and the lies that are shown to you? Each and every day we must gird ourselves for the battle. Do we look with our eyes at the evil, the destruction, the stupidity of the situation that is around us, or, do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord, listen to His voice to be strong and of good courage? Choose, my friend. God is good and God is faithful. He will keep you through the darkness of the evil that seems to be among us. As one person said, “Do not let the disorders of our day dim our faith in the ultimate triumph of goodness.”