By Nina Ellis
Have you ever felt like the enemy was directly pursuing you – with no break in sight? A number of years back I was tested on every level: physically, spiritually, emotionally, even socially. Only a few months into a very bad divorce, bankruptcy came knocking at the door which resulted in losing my car. Then came robbery at gunpoint right in front of my apartment and viewing mug shots at work with the police. And afterwards a client threatening me with a knife. Yes, there were physical and emotional battles (even some PTSD) that ensued and “friends” that disappeared. Where was God? How can evil win? How do I survive it all?
David in Psalm 37 answers that age-old question about the wicked versus the righteous. As an old man he looks back on life and offers wisdom and instruction. From the time he was a shepherd boy facing scoffing brothers and an evil army with a giant champion, David knew battles with the world, the flesh, the enemy. He faced a mad, evil king, neighboring armies, wicked advisers, and even his own children! What would he say to us? Although he mentions “wicked” or “evil” in some form almost 20 times in Psalm 37, he offers us practical wisdom to stay on track: don’t fret; trust and do good; commit; delight yourself in God; be still; don’t be angry; wait for the LORD Yahweh – He will not abandon His faithful ones! In fact, He holds our hand (v24)!
David’s godly advice points toward a God who will destroy evil and give an everlasting inheritance to His own – guaranteed because our enemies are in fact His enemies. In the meantime we have a path to walk with Him.
When we turn to John 11, evil and death are front page news in Bethany, near Jerusalem.
This chapter has unexpected main characters: a corpse 4 days in a tomb, two grieving sisters, crowds mourning and crowds plotting evil. And then there’s Jesus, deliberately late to the event. He’s just told the religious people that He and the Father are One – a public declaration of “I AM”. Now He’s going to trigger the final event which causes His arrest and execution: the public raising of Lazarus from stench to life! “I AM the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live and never, ever die!”
All the goodness and life that David foresaw was wrapped in God’s best gift – His blameless, perfect Son. No more grave clothes. Victory over sin, flesh, and an evil world! Don’t fret, Mary and Martha, be still and wait for the LORD. Don’t fret, Christian, God is still on the throne! Delight in Him.
Prayer: LORD, I confess that too often I look at evil and fret – it’s not fair! I’m drowning! Turn my eyes towards Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, the One who carries me and holds my hand when I’m facing evil. In the Powerful Name of Jesus, I pray.
Thank you for this! It’s really good.