I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
John 16:33
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
When we are disturbed by bad news, and feel powerless over those events, we need to always turn to the scriptures. There ,we will always find promises and direction from God.
Jesus utters these words in John’s Gospel after telling his disciples all that He will go through in the coming days. What’s more, He broke the news to them that He would be leaving them, in His earthly form. He told them that they would be facing difficult times, including persecution. He also promised them that He would be leaving them a gift, the Holy Spirit. He also reassured them that all the evil, unholy, and wrongful things in the world, would be dealt with by God, and that there would be a place for all who followed in His path.
The good news is that when we face things that we know are wrong, sinful, and evil, those things will not win. Sometimes, they may appear to reign for days, weeks, or sadly, even years, but they will not be on the throne in the final outcome. Just like in football, we don’t know the final score in the first quarter. And just like in football, there are going to be some injuries along the way. The long game is always different: in the end, good will defeat evil. Christ overcomes the world. It is like evangelist Billy Graham once said, “I have read the last page of the Bible. It’s going to turn out alright.”
It is easy to want to fight evil with evil, but that is a losing proposition. It is much better, if we must fight, to fight evil with good. God calls us to be peacemakers, and this is not just a suggestion. When I viewed the damage done by rioters on the news recently, it was noted that often early the next morning, volunteers showed up to sweep away broken glass, cleaning up the damage. They were overcoming evil with good. May we all do the same…
Prayer
Lord, you see all that has been, and all that will come. Help us to be peacemakers when there is strife. Give us the strength to work though the barriers that come before us. Help us to see that you are already at the end of the game, holding the trophy for those who have kept their eye on the goal. Be with our country and our world, and help healing to be a part of the journey. Guide us and protect us. We pray this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen
