In the Face of Evil

It is sometimes asked why a loving God would cause bad things to happen. Fact is, we live in a fallen world, a world where sin and evil are all around us. Jesus is our Redeemer, and He will bring His glory, His good results, even out of adversity. We have to maintain the proper attitude when we are tried. James 1 states:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

It is so critical that we maintain the proper attitude when things don't go our way; even in the face of evil, there is an opportunity for God to be exalted through us.  His steadfast love will sustain us when we are challenged and He gives us the inner fortitude to stand strong in our trials. And, those trials are being used by Him to develop His work in our hearts and to provide an outward expression of His faithfulness, a testimony to those who are watching to see how we respond. 

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When we come face-to-face with evil, we can remain steadfast in what 1st Peter 1 states is our "living hope," that is, our hope in Christ. Picking up later in the chapter, we can read:
(6) now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

Yesterday, I discussed God's Word in the battles we face.  We can know that His Word is available and sufficient when we face spiritual challenges.  But, we have to put it to work for us - when we are tempted and tried, He is with us and we can continually rely on Him.

In real-life situations around the world, believers in Christ are facing stiff opposition - with the threat of arrest and even death simply because they have professed faith in Christ.  Yet, in the middle of these fiery trials, God is faithful and Jesus is continuing to be exalted.

David Curry of Open Doors USA, which advocates for the persecuted Church, was on The Meeting House last week and shared about the Church in Iran and the perseverance of Christians in that majority-Muslim country that is run by a group of Muslim clerics. 

There have been reports recently out of the African nation of Mozambique, where the situation is dire. ChristianHeadlines.com spotlighted the work of an organization called Iris Global, which is headed by Heidi Baker.  The article reports that "Since 2017, ISIS-linked militants have killed over 2,600 people and displaced 700,000 more in their invasion to establish an Islamic caliphate in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province. Al Shabab, a militant terror group, is responsible for the dozens of terror attacks on churches in the region." The country is described in the article as "one of the world's poorest and most dangerous countries."

The U.S. State Department reports, according to the article, that in March, Al Shabab attacked the city of Palma, which, according to Faithwire, resulted in the deaths of "dozens of civilians." It was described as "one of the bloodiest Islamic terror attacks in southern Africa."

This incident, as well as the threat that I would imagine is pervasive, could bring discouragement and fear. Yet, Baker says that God is working powerfully in these adverse circumstances, relating that, "I'm telling you in the midst of the tragedy, God is doing the most incredibly beautiful things, and He's wiping away the tears..."  But Baker's attitude is forthright; the Christian Headlines article says:

But Baker just wants to keep preaching the gospel, even amid the militant terror group. "Al Shabab, they are a frightening bunch. I'm not going to be phony, I don't want to get chopped up, I don't want to be kidnapped, I want to continue to preach this glorious gospel for many more decades." But she also said, "If you are a believer in Jesus, you are one of the first who is right on the list."

This is an example of how militants in Mozambique, as well as persecutors of Christians in other parts of the world, are operating. You don't agree with them and harm could come to you - it was reported in the article that crops and houses were being burned, children being taken.  Yet, through it all, and above it all, God is being glorified.  The bad things that occur are not signs that God is mean and uncaring; He is the One who goes with us and stands with us in the face of evil.  He doesn't prevent calamity, but He is our companion through it.  

We can also be challenged to continue to pray for those around the world who are being persecuted.  And, to be mindful of Christians in our nation who are receiving opposition because of their faith.  We can respond with bitterness and anger at how believers are being tried, yet we can be mindful that these moments and seasons of tribulation provide opportunities for God to be glorified and the gospel to be shared.