“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b
Yesterday’s sermon was about Jesus preaching in his hometown synagogue. The people there, didn’t like what His message was, so they tried to kill Him. He walked away from them and went on His way.
He was eventually killed because the folks in charge couldn’t deal with His message, but they learned in the end, that His message was way more powerful than death. Killing Him didn’t stop it. It simply led to the resurrection and then His message spread like wildfire.
God was always at work, even when Satan thought he was winning. He wasn’t.
The powerful people have always tried to silence messages that they don’t like. When the prophet Elijah was spreading God’s message, he often found himself on the run. He spoke truth. He spoke God’s message. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, didn’t like it, so they tried desperately to have him killed.
They failed and wound up dead themselves. And Elijah? He went up to Heaven in a whirlwind. Even in Elijah’s darkest hours, God was working. Man conspired against him; but God had a plan. Elijah got discouraged, but he stayed close to God and he kept obeying and speaking the truth.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful attributes of the Bible, is that it paints for us over and over, in great details, the struggles and triumphs of the people of God. We see over and over how evil men conspire to thwart God’s plan, but a close reading, teaches us that evil ultimately fails.
The ISIS atrocities against Christians and Jews, God’s people, are just another example of evil rearing its ugly head. While it’s too horrible for decent people to even comprehend, the Bible teaches us that this is nothing new. It has a new name, but the seed of all evil comes from Satan, always has and always will.
And while we breathe a sigh of relief that our own country doesn’t have that kind of widespread violence. We have to remember that evil doesn’t always carry a sword and draw blood.
There have been coaches who have recently lost their jobs because they pray publicly. Where do you think that comes from? There have been people who have been run out of business because they stood by what they believed was Biblical truth. These are just a couple of examples.
In the West, evil has learned to go for the money instead of the physical. Not a shot gets fired. No blood is spilled, but standing by Biblical principles can lead to financial ruin.
And if we listen to the media, it sometimes appears that evil is winning.
But, the Bible tells us a different story. We are reminded from the very beginning, that God is working.
We are reminded that prayer and repentance will heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
We are reminded that we fight a war that is spiritual not physical. Ephesians 6:12
We are reminded that God provides us with armor for the battles. Ephesians 6:13-18
We are reminded that Jesus is always with us as we go about doing His work. Matthew 28:19-20
We are reminded that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him. Romans 8:28
These are just a handful of the powerful reminders that God loves His children. So, if you are feeling disheartened today, anxious or discouraged, take heart, my friend.
God has been at work since the story of mankind began. He has been at work in your story and in mine. Evil sometimes looks like it’s going to win. The Bible promises us it won’t
And that, dear friend, is something worth celebrating.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂