Four-Calendar Café

Scripture

Isaiah 10:15 (NIV)

Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!

Observation

When you are beset by evil in your life, by people and circumstances that seem to only have one purpose, to sow chaos, how do you respond? Do you cry out to the Lord, “Why is this happening” or do you ask Him, “What do you want me to do” or perhaps something in between? Allow me to suggest that you take a moment and remember what the Bible tells us.

We know that God created everyone and everything (Colossians 1:16). We know that, when God created everything, “[He] saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31 NIV). Some things are for noble purposes and others, for ignoble purposes (Romans 9:21). We are not in the place of God to determine the way of the world. We don’t want to be like Peter, who, only having human concerns, rebuked our Lord, and told Him that He would never go forth to be glorified (Matthew 16:23)?

We, therefore, knowing that God is good and works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28), should respond to the evil in this world, in the manner that we have been instructed, by our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to “love [our] enemies and pray for those who persecute [us]” (Matthew 5:44 NIV). Furthermore, we are to show mercy, as our Father, in Heaven, has shown mercy to us (Luke 6:36).

We, like the tools of evil, are instruments of God. The body of Christ, here on earth. Our job isn’t to fight evil but to worship God, and bring the message of salvation to those in darkness. Does that mean we don’t stand against injustice? No, we stand against injustice and everything that sets itself against God by standing for God. Therefore, we do not look to the evils in this world and condemn them. We do not wave signs and banners proclaiming their sin. They are condemned by their own actions, they will reap the reward for sin. Which is death. We do not rejoice in this. Instead, we pray for mercy, salvation, and deliverance.

However, do not pray for your enemies to be blessed. Do not throw the blessings of God around like they are nothing. Remember Esau, who for a hot meal, turned away and sold his blessing (Genesis 25:29-34). As people of the living God, we have the power to bless and the power to curse (Matthew 18:18). Therefore, when we pray for others, those who do not know God, we ought to pray first and foremost that they are saved. We know that those who are saved are delivered, and to those who are saved and delivered, as we have been, they are blessed and they are healed, as we are, by His stripes. If those, who hear His voice, turn away from Him, then our prayer, for mercy, is to God to be merciful. For the “enemy” you see today could be the brother or sister, lifting hands with you in praise, to God, tomorrow.

Thus, when you have done the work of God, do not say, look at what my hands have done, but give thanks to God, who directed you and enabled you to do His will, for we are all instruments in the Potter’s hands, doing the duty, set forth to us, by God, before we were born.

Do you know God? God knows you and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. Nothing is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so that we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.