One of the issues many Christ-followers struggle with is the advancement of evil. I’m not speaking necessarily about culture, although it certainly is an issue. We have slowly watched evil creep into our nation, our families, our churches, and yes, even us. Things we never thought would change have changed. Fifty years ago if someone had told us homosexuality would be normalized and accepted we would have probably pooh-poohed it. If someone had told us ten years ago that polyamory would seen as “right” and “normal,” we would have probably spit out our soup.
But…here we are. Accepting as normal things which are abnormal. Accepting as okay the things which are sin.
It is difficult for the one who loves Jesus and wants to serve Him to stand by and watch evil gain a foothold and even triumph. It was Edmund Burke who said, “The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
The Russia-Ukraine war, conflict, whatever the talking heads want to call it, is a good example of evil running rampant. An evil, deranged, ego maniac has attacked a sovereign country and is in the process of laying it to waste. I cringe as I see our leaders bow to him and not lift a finger. But then I read verses like Psalm 37: 38-39 which says, “But the wrongdoers will altogether be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be eliminated. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.” (NASB2020). I then remind myself he will lose. Evil will not triumph in the end. This is especially true in the fight of good vs evil, of the flesh vs the Spirit.
I pray each day for Ukraine and my friends there: Zee and her husband, Sam, and their two children, Zhenya (Jenny) and Zhora (George). I finally heard from a pastor friend, Caleb Suko, who was in Odessa. They are now in Moldova, doing ministry there and helping with the refugees.
In the end, righteousness will triumph. In life. In death. Amen.
I have to remind myself each day, Bill, that evil will never triumph in the end as I watch the horrors unfold in Ukraine. Let us keep praying!
I missed your sermon yesterday, but will definitely catch it on YouTube sometime this week.
Blessings!
That is something we need to remind ourselves of for sure Martha. Each week I deeply appreciate your dedication to watch Martha. Thank you.
It is difficult to watch evil take hold and make inroads into society, into culture, into freedom.
It is even more difficult when the evil is masked as good and becomes the popular and prevalent mindset.
We are at war! Make no mistake! The war is being fought in our own lives and on our own soil.
Not to minimize what we see in the news or hear from our friends directly impacted on the front lines or in within the boundaries of a nation literally fighting for its sovereignty, for it’s right to be free.
The inaction we see is a direct result of the larger war at hand. The larger war for the souls of our children, for the souls of their children, for the souls of their children.
This war against evil isn’t new… and lest we forget, the war HAS BEEN WON!
It isn’t about WHO will win. The battle now is to save those who may still be behind enemy lines. The battles we fight now are rescue operations to pull as many back across the line as possible.
The day will come when the fighting will cease, the battles will be over and the counting will begin. Until that day comes, my job is to hold the line, to provide love and speak truth. To render assistance where assistance is needed and to push against that which twists truth and causes confusion.
I continue to pray for those in the Ukraine… Thankful to hear that your friends continue to be ok and that Caleb has responded. Pray for peace in this time of war, in their hearts, in their spirits.
Father God may your spirit of truth, love, and peace fill the people of Ukraine and those who are coming along side to fight the tyranny and evil that has invaded their land. I pray for your continued intervention to hold off the evil and not allow it to prevail. I pray that you would deliver a hard and swift blow that would make those who threaten freedom think twice before ever considering it an option again. I pray for those wounded on both sides for those that are following blind orders and for those that are protesting this evil.
I pray for the necessary supplies to be delivered where it is needed and ultimately, I pray that the real enemy be made known and that the result of this invasion would be an awakening to those who need to see you. I pray this in Jesus Name… Amen
I agree Ryan that we are at war. Not just in Ukraine but especially in our lives. I am Case #1 exhibit of that! Thanks for your prayer for Ukraine. If you could have heard me you would have heard an Amen.