Thriving In A World Of Evil Series

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

We must also resign ourselves to the truth that good and evil will both remain until the end of the age. The parable expresses the Lord’s concern that uprooting the weeds may root up the wheat. I struggle with this idea. My take on it is that Jesus knows our hearts. Like the farmer that can tell the difference between an immature wheat stock and a weed, Jesus can tell the difference between his sons and the sons of the evil one. He could root up the wicked and spare the wheat right now, can’t he?

Of course he can. But there is a great difference between Jesus and the wheat farmer. Jesus can turn weeds into wheat. While all I can see is trouble in that wicked person, Jesus sees potential. “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (Psalm 145:8-9; NIV)

It might make sense to you and I for God to wipe out the evil ones. It might make sense for him to strike down those who oppose us. It might make sense to ask God to wipe Islam off the face of the earth, but he’s not going to do it. Not yet. God is more gracious and patient and compassionate than I am. I have to learn to accept that.

There will come a time, though, when the righteous prevail. Evil will one day be wiped out and God’s own will be gathered. One day the angels will come to collect those who refused to submit to God’s purposes. They will “weed out everything that causes sin and all who do evil” and throw them into the fires of hell, where they can no more interfere with God’s purposes. He is slow to anger and patient, wanting everyone to come to repentance, but one day he will have to mete out his justice. In that day, those who have been redeemed will have God’s purposes fulfilled in them. The Father will rejoice like a farmer celebrating the harvest when his own are gathered into the barn. Those who are his will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Knowing these things, here’s what you can do to thrive in a world of evil.

1. Be alert! Remember, while you are sleeping, the enemy sows his weeds. He likes to find you idle or inattentive. 1 Pet 5:8 warns, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (NIV) I Thes. 5:6-8 concurs, “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be sober. Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” (NLT)

2. Endure hardship. If evil must remain, be prepared for trouble by trusting. Isaiah 12:2 exhorts us, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."