FACING OUR FEARS - The Evil in the World
Read Psalm 10:2-11; 2 Timothy 2:22
Yesterday I spent an hour with my psychologist. A few days before I had convinced myself again, that no matter what direction the Lord was taking me, I wasn't sure I wanted to go. There were too many unknowns, too many fears to face, and what about those little `enemies' that kept sneaking in.
When we look with David at all the evil that was in his world, it was no wonder he was crying out to God. Things haven't changed much in our world today. Let's take a quick look:
1. Arrogance of the Powerful and Oppression of Weak - It happens in the home, it happens on the streets, it happens in the workplace. Wherever someone feels they have the upper hand and can be stronger, they can make the choice to help or oppress.
"The wicked person arrogantly pursues oppressed people." (V2)
2. Pride and Evil Desires - Drunkeness and sexual sins, greed and covetousness, approval of sin. People don't just engage in these sins, they actually enjoy them, and they feel no remorse.
"The wicked person boasts about his selfish desires.... he curses the Lord." (V3)
"Don't let the wise people brag about their wisdom. Don't let strong people brag about their strength. Don't let rich people brag about their riches. If they want to brag let it be that they understand and know me. They should brag that I the Lord act out of love, righteousness and justice on the earth. This kind of bragging pleases me, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23&24
3. Reviles the Lord - If you love sin, how can you truly honour a righteous, holy God.
".....God doesn't care'.... `There is no God" (V4)
4. Denies God's Providence - Those that deny God tend to see themselves as invincible and harden their hearts to iniquity.
"They always succeed. They are far from keeping the laws..... They say to themselves, `Nothing bad will happen to me'. " (V5&6)
5. An Evil Tongue - Along with an evil heart usually comes an evil tongue - cursing, lies and threats - which will ultimately lead to trouble.
".... They use their tongues for sin and evil." (V7)
"The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself." James 3:6
6. Violence Towards the Helpless - David continues to describes further oppression of the weak, which is something we could easily be reading in our daily newspaper.
"The poor are thrown down and crushed. They are defeated because others are stronger."
(V10)
7. Practical Atheism - Denying that God cares and is active in creation The evil person does not necessarily deny the existence of God but they lack faith in his omnipotence.
"They say to themselves, "God won't punish us." (V13)
David seems to be complain a lot about the evil in the world. Was he judging? Was it because of fear? Because he cared for the poor? Maybe a little of all three. But David also knew that it was so easy for him to fall into this same trap of evil. So easy to become uncaring and blase about the needs surrounding him.
2. Which one or any of the above do you feel most strongly about?
The ladies in my Bible Study seem to get into heavy discussions each week about things they see on the news or Today Tonight; because we all find injustice a little hard to take. These big problems of homelessness, spouse and child abuse, trafficking of young woman and children as prostitutes are just on our doorsteps but we feel helpless to do anything about, though a number of our ladies help in shelters and foodbanks. We can't do a lot about the global issues of poverty, though we have our child sponsorship. th There are many things we may not be able to do, but there are the little things. Maybe even just going next door and seeing if your neighbour is in need or hurting.
We may not be able to stop the evil, but at least we may be able to show some little bit of kindness!!
3. What little bit of kindness can you do today to help make a some difference to the injustices `on our doorstep'?
Paul told Timothy that he had a responsibility to stay pure and sometimes we are afraid to find out what is happening in our world because we might get tainted by evil. In his book, `Help I'm Being Tempted', Bob Gass tells us that `running' can sometimes be a strength and not a weakness. The world is screaming for your allegiance and there are some temptations in this world that may be a stumbling block to us, and it may be wise to `run away'.
Other times, we may be placed in situations where we need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to overcome temptation and to face evil head on. Remember when this time comes - take your SWORD - the WORD OF GOD with you and your SHIELD- the power of FAITHFUL PRAYER.
"Prayer puts a shield of divine protection around you. You can't live without it." Bob Gass.
Acknowledge that there is evil in the world or you will be vulnerable to the devil's attacks, you will become uncaring and will close your eyes to the needs around you and you will become so full of fear you will forget the empowerment you have in the Lord to fight it.
"I will not be afraid because the Lord is with me." Psalm 118:6
"You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
4. Is there anything that you are afraid to face on your own because you feel vulnerable to attack?
Pray, and ask God whether you should say `no' or `yes' to the fight against it.
* The New Matthew Henry Commentary, Edited by Martin H. Manser
* "Help I'm Being Tempted", Bob Gass
* Holy Bible, New Living Translation (1996), Tyndale Publishers
No comments:
Post a Comment