Thoughts for the Day

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor—

For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart,
those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord.
In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’;
all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’....

Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
do not forget the oppressed......

O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek;
you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear
to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed,
so that those from earth may strike terror no more.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Have you ever said to yourself, "Why doesn't God rid of evil?", or perhaps at the moment, "Why doesn't God stop Putin from attacking Ukraine?" Psalm 10 says something similar. The psalmist cries to God, "Why, O Lord, do you stand so far off?" He sees the way the poor are persecuted and how the wicked trample all over those who are weaker than themselves. However, he ends the psalm by confirming his total conviction that God will strengthen those who can help to defeat evil.

Our Bible teaches us two important things. First, evil doesn't come from God. He didn't create it, and he doesn't cause it. Most of us realise this, but we can forget it sometimes. Evil comes from the Evil One - from Satan - who is completely opposed to God and His world of goodness. It also comes from within human hearts when they turn away from God and live only for themselves. Jesus said "For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come." (Mark 7.21)

Second, we should remember that God sent His Son into the world to defeat evil. In his death and resurrection He defeated evil and hell, which began a battle that will one day be resolved when He returns to complete His victory over evil. In the meantime we should put our hope in Jesus, and do what we can in our way to defeat evil.

Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to have faith in You
that evil cannot ultimately win,
and that there will be a reckoning
when it will be defeated.
In the meantime we ask your
guidance in how to make a
difference in our world
in any way that we can.
Amen.