I hate evil. I hate the destruction it creates in our world and in God’s creation. I begin to get angry when I see full evil and hatred put on full display for everyone to see. I hate when it is glorified and treated like it is righteous. And I hate it when it seems like evil is making serious progress and there is nothing I can do about it.
It is in these times where I really need to read Scripture to myself and go before the throne of God. I need to be reminded of the Lord’s sovereignty and protection in all of this. And I need to be reminded of the One who is near during struggle, the One who does care about our hurt. Sometimes, I really just need Jesus to take the wheel, even if that is some corny song line.
As of the time of this writing, there has been a lot of evil committed in our country. Specifically, the taking of life from one young lady, two school shootings, and one assassination of a young father of two. There has been a lot of evil the past couple of weeks. And when there are devastating blows like this in our lives, we really begin to question what is going on around us. Thus, further diving ourselves into chaos.
But, if you are in Christ, He does not tell you to simply stop worrying and being scared - He tells you to take heart, endure, and keep going. John 16:33 says: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Here in this text, Christ does not tell His believers that things will always get easier and be better permanently. Instead, He encourages us to endure and find peace in Him during the struggle, because He has already overcome the world. For any believers that are reading this, I beg of you to remember that you have a Savior who truly cares for you and your struggles. Even though our Savior has gone back to the Father, our connection and relationship with Him has not ended. Consider these next verses in Hebrews 4:15-16.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Not only do we have a Savior who encourages us to take heart since He has already overcome the world, we have a High Priest who sympathizes with us in our hurting or struggling. Our Lord has also walked this earth, struggled as we have, been tempted as we have, yet never faltered or sinned during His mission. Our Savior is separate from other “religions” because He has firsthand experience of our struggle and pain. His throne of grace becomes even more welcoming and amazing because of this fact.
So, while we struggle with the things that go on around us, let us not act as if we are alone in the fight. There sits a King on a throne who knows what we are going through, has suffered far worse than we have, and still calls us His sheep. We serve a King who defines the word love and sets the standard for perfect love. And He offers that love whenever we call upon Him. Please, whoever reads this, if you find yourself in a season of hate, doubt, struggle, etc, please run to the King of kings. Please do not find answers on your own. We exist to have community with the Lord so please continue to seek that community. And when things become very difficult around you, run to Christ’s throne of grace. He will help. He will deliver. He will deliver peace. Trust in Him and trust in that peace.
His Glory Alone
