Being good in an evil world

Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers: "Let's get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!" Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he's amused at their presumption; Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: "Don't you know there's a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit." Let me tell you what God said next. He said, "You're my son, And today is your birthday. What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash." So, rebel-kings, use your heads; Upstart-judges, learn your lesson: Worship God in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God—you won't regret it! (Psalm 2)

Sometimes I look around and wonder… what’s going on? The news channels spew out propaganda, our leaders don’t listen, and the world seems to be hit with political or social earthquake after earthquake. Through the hissing of lies and deceit, intrigue, and political maneuvering… God is at work.

God’s at work on that stage but in our hearts as well. He’s calling for attention, he’s whispering for our affection, he’s stirring our hearts to come-up-higher (1 Kings 19:12). Not in a grand-show of piety or more religiosity but in trust and obedience to Him. Christ is tugging at our hearts to come to him; come to him for comfort, for rest, and for peace of mind.

A peace that betrays the anxieties of our day. A peace that guides, directs, instructs, and leads us even when we fail. Even when we falter or sin or mis-step along the way. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes and we all are sinful yet our advantage is knowing, believing, and walking with Christ who is perfect, righteous, and holy. Certainly, our ‘righteousness’ alone will not pave the way to heaven or to peace of mind as we have none (Isa 64:6). We are righteous when we walk in faith, believing that God will take care of the big problems in our lives and the small ones as well (Rom. 1:17). Is anything too hard for God? (Gen. 18:14).

So as the days grow ever more evil (Eph. 5:16) may we look to Jesus for strength, wisdom, and guidance. If the ‘one-eye devil’ is getting you down then turn the thing off or select a godly movie to watch. If you want peace of mind you have to seek for it, surround yourself with it, and cut off the anxiety stimuli. Or better yet, give of yourself. There’s a healing wonder in giving without thought of receiving.

And giving is what we are all about. As the world takes and grabs and holds onto may we be a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9) and give of ourselves. May we have a heart to seek out the lonely, the forgotten, the depressed, and those suffering and show kindness… show a caring heart. May we be good in an evil world.