Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves . . . until his wrath has passed by. (Isa. 26:20)
I slammed my laptop shut after another news story caused a firestorm of bickering to erupt online. Working in politics, I was forced to witness and tend to divisive conversations constantly. The issue on this day was clearly a matter of evil, and yet, so many people didn’t see it that way. It was heartbreaking, but I recognized that this is the reality of a fallen world. Sometimes God calls us to engage. Other times, he says to step away, as today’s verse demonstrates. There were no persuasive words I could have magically penned to change the minds of millions in a passionate Facebook status update—at least not that day.
We can easily feel helpless when it comes to widespread issues of evil. Even though we aren’t literally helpless, we can’t eliminate evil all over the world. In these times, it’s a great comfort to know evil doesn’t fly under the radar and God will avenge his creation in due time.
The modern world may feel more polarized than ever, but in truth, history just repeats itself. Rest in the promise that one day, Jesus will make all things new (see Rev. 21:5). Author J. R. R. Tolkien put it this way: “Everything sad will become untrue.” That quite accurately summarizes the hope and promise of salvation in Jesus. The Lord is in charge, and he will right every wrong.
Identify one issue with which you struggle to trust the Lord.
Ericka Andersen is a member of Waterline Church in Fishers, Indiana. She’s a wife and mom to two and enjoys writing, running, and podcasting.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
