In the Midst of Evil Our Only Hope Is Jesus!

This past Friday my heart sank as I learned the news of the shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. As more details came out, my heart began to break because of the many small children whose young lives were taken, not to mention the brave faculty and staff who died protecting their students. Thankfully, due to the faculty and staff’s heroic actions on Friday morning, many children’s lives were spared.

No doubt many today are asking the question, Why? Why would a young man take the life of his mother, the lives of twenty children and six adults. Many will speculate, but no one will ever really know definitively the reasons this young man committed such a deplorable act.

As I reflected on this news I was reminded of another horrific scene that took place over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, Israel, and its vicinity. King Herod ordered that all boys, two years old and under, were to be killed (Matthew 2:16). Matthew repeats the prophet Jeremiah’s words to describe the scene, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18; cf. Jeremiah 31:15). Only those who have lost a child can even begin to imagine the  heartbreak and pain these moms and dads in Bethlehem experienced. Sadly, the moms and dads in Newtown can understand.

Why did King Herod commit such a deplorable act? He had heard that the “king of the Jews” had been born in Bethlehem and he was troubled (Matthew 2:1-3). He feared losing his throne and kingdom. Since King Herod did not know where this “king of the Jews” was, and to ensure that he killed him, he ordered all boys, two years old and under, to be killed. Tragically, no boy two years old and under escaped Herod’s death sentence, that is, except for one (Matthew 2:13-15). That boy’s name was Jesus. Herod’s plan to kill baby Jesus, the “king of the Jews,” had failed. 

King Herod’s actions in Bethlehem and its vicinity, and the lone gunman’s actions in Newtown, are clear reminders of the existence of evil. Evil is real and this past Friday we were reminded just how real it is. Jesus warned us that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), and right now “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Our only hope is Jesus!

During this Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to rescue men from sin. The angel told the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Jesus revealed that He came to earth “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). He died on the cross to save all who would come to Him by faith for salvation (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Three days later He rose from the dead and today He sits at God’s right hand (1 Corinthians 15:4; Hebrews 10:12). Jesus will return again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16). When He comes the second time He will remove the evil one, doing away with evil once and for all (Revelation 20:10). Jesus will also “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In fact, Jesus tells us that He will  make “all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Our only hope is Jesus! 

Let’s continue to pray for the families of the Newtown victims, as well as the entire Newtown community. Let’s be faithful to share with others the good news of why Jesus came to earth. Let’s be anticipating Jesus’ return. In the midst of evil, our only hope is Jesus!

When Evil Seems To Rule The Day

Have you sometimes wondered how long God will allow the ungodly to prosper while the godly suffer? Have you ever looked around and wondered why God doesn’t do something about all the evil in our world? The prophet Habakkuk, who prophesied during the final days of the Assyrian Empire, could relate! Habakkuk had two basic questions for God.

First, he wanted to know, How long? “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Ever found yourself there? You’ve called out to God for help and yet it did not appear He was listening to you. Ever found yourself praying that God would end the violence of our day, yet to no avail?

Second, Habakkuk wanted to know, Why? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise…why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? (Habakkuk 1:3, 13). Habakkuk wanted to know why his people must suffer injustice and wrongdoing. In his day, justice had essentially disappeared from Judah causing violence and wickedness to reign unchecked. They were dark days!

Habakkuk witnessed corruption and wrong doing. Manasseh, Amon, and Jehoikim were corrupt leaders. For example, during Jehoikim’s reign, the land was poor, yet Jehoikim delighted himself in extravagance, building majestic palaces, and enhancing towns by way of forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13–18; Habakkuk 2:9–17). We too are living in a nation where corruption is prevalent at all levels and where wrong doing is often shamefully ignored. Habakkuk also witnessed the oppression of his people under Jehoikim. The same is true in our nation. No doubt religious freedom is being oppressed. For example, the Ten Commandments, along with crosses, are being removed from the public square as well as state and federal government-owned land. Free speech is even being oppressed by some. Habakkuk also witnessed violence in his day. In our day, news stories are filled with abductions, murder, rape, and robbery. The recent shooting rampage at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado, is one clear example of the violence of our day. In addition, Habakkuk witnessed conflict among his people. Today, there is conflict wherever we turn, whether in government, politics, public debate, the work place, or in the home. Sadly, many churches are filled with conflict. Habakkuk wanted to know how long and why? Two fitting questions for our day, don’t you think?
What was the result of all this? First, the people were indifferent towards the law. So the law is paralyzed (Habakkuk 1:4). The people of Judah became numb to the Law of God. The same is true in our day. As a nation, we condone what God’s Word condemns. God’s Word teaches justice, integrity, and honesty, and yet we see just the opposite in all levels of society. Second, there was a perversion of justice. ...and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted (Habakkuk 1:4). Do we not see this in our day? As a result, perpetrators often become victims. The third result was not what Habakkuk was expecting: impending judgment (Habakkuk 1:5-17). In short, God was going to bring judgment on the nation of Judah. Habakkuk knew that his people had sinned and deserved God’s judgment but he wrestled with God’s answer.

As we look at Habakkuk’s response to what was happening in his day we learn what we can do when evil seems to rule the day.

1. Get honest with God. Habakkuk came with questions, sharing the concerns of his heart (Habakkuk 1:2-13). It is okay to wrestle and pose questions to God when we are genuinely seeking answers to life’s problems. When we wrestle with the issues of our day the best One to turn to is God. Habakkuk looked around but then he turned to God!

2. Trust the character of God. Habakkuk, speaking to God, says, Are you not from everlasting, O my God, my Holy One? (Habakkuk 1:12). God is holy. We can trust His character. He will act in His time.

3. Take time to hear from God. Notice what Habakkuk did: I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint (Habakkuk 2:1). Once we share our concerns with God we must take time to hear from Him.

Perhaps you’re experiencing first hand some of what Habakkuk witnessed—you may be a victim or even a perpetrator. Maybe you, like Habakkuk have questions. If so, get honest with God, trust His character, and take time to listen to Him.