Mid-week Prayer Focus
Christian Response to the World’s Evil
Pastor Wes
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This past week I found myself getting really frustrated at the evil in our world- the evil being promoted as good. I got frustrated at the agendas being forced that are clearly not right. I got frustrated over the nature of our media calling what is good “bad,” and calling what is bad “good.” It would seem like the majority of Americans feel the same, yet, it’s the twisted minority who are given the loudspeaker, the microphone, the screen time. Yes, where did all the good people go? It’s almost as if an evil spell has been cast over people that negates logic, morality, common-sense and facts.
I want to assure you that our reaction to this type of scenario isn’t uncommon. Recorded throughout the Bible are passages confirming there are others who felt the same way, and even questioned God as they saw the prosperity of those who promoted evil: Jeremiah 12, the whole book of Habakkuk, Psalm 37, Psalm 73- are just some references of God’s people being frustrated over evil not getting checked. The passage I want to draw your attention to is Psalm 73. The author is Asaph, and at the beginning of the Psalm he admits that he was “envious of the arrogant,” and of the “prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:3) He goes on to say these wicked, prideful, violent people aren’t troubled or plagued like the rest of the common folk and that the “imaginations of their heart run riot.” (v 7) They “mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.” (v 8) Man this Asaph guy gets it! They “set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue parades through the earth.” (v 9) These guys have the loudspeaker- parading their deceptive speech throughout the earth.
Because of all this that he saw, Asaph almost felt a little remorseful- in verse 13 he contemplates for a moment why has he attempted to live with a pure heart and innocent hands- he’s only suffered as a result of doing what’s right! Verse 16- he was troubled thinking about this, what he perceived of the wicked verses the righteous was really heavy and bothersome… but then his perception shifted. Verse 17, he was troubled with this idea “Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.”
Asaph had gotten caught up in the workings of the world, and it was only when he stepped out of the world, and stepped into God’s presence, that he was able to see reality in its fullest, truest form. He was reminded that though the wicked prosper for what appears to be a long time, when it’s their time, their fall comes very quickly and suddenly. It’s only a matter of time! In God’s presence, He realized that when he was bitter about the wicked, he was acting like a senseless, ignorant animal. (v21-22) But there in God’s presence he was convicted of God’s counsel and guidance, and the glory of a coming day. (v 24)
He is then reminded of the frailty of human life- all will perish, but for Him God will be the strength of His heart and God will be his inheritance forever. (v 26) In a vast sea of lies, injustice, promotion of evil, prosperity of the wicked- in this world where goodness was completely absent, Asaph declares “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge.” (v 28)
This is my prayer for you and for me. When the world is under an evil spell, when goodness is hard to track down, when evil is proclaimed as good and good proclaimed as evil, when we are desperate for our empty cup to be filled with some good news and goodness- may God’s nearness be the goodness that fills our cup. “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge.” May we not fret over the evildoers, but know that in due season, God will wipe them away. As Asaph declared, may we too be able to say that God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Realize that there is an eternity of goodness in store for those who draw near to God, but those who do not fear Him, who promote evil and lies, will have their sudden and permanent end. Be encouraged church! See you soon-