The Evil, the Good

9/11 is a date indelibly written into the minds of Americans who were alive that awful day. The morning, a beautiful Fall one, quickly turned into one of death, fear, sorrow, and destruction. The contrasts in our memory are stark. On one hand we remember the evil that guided the actions of 19 young zealots. Then, we remember the awesome courage of first responders, hundreds of whom died that day, and many who have suffered sense then. We remember the sweetness of unity that swept across our land, an outpouring of concern for one another that reminded us of the best in ourselves. 

As we remember, let’s not forget the fact of real Evil, dear friend.  There is an Evil One who hates you, and me, and life, and light! His work was evident in the hatred that fed the acts of those men that day, but he has not stopped in his efforts to destroy life, to spread darkness, to stir hatred.  “Is the Devil real?” Some ask. About half of Americans do not believe that there is a real, sentient being who actively opposes God and good, thinking this a superstitions left over from a time of lesser knowledge. He hides himself and his work in that disbelief.

In the book of the Revelation, full of strange imagery and language, John informs us about the ongoing war between good and evil.  His inspired words help me to pull back the curtain between the invisible realm that is as real as the world of my senses. He saw an ‘enormous red dragon’ (Revelation 12) who was poised to destroy the Messiah at his birth, who rebelled against the order of Heaven, who was kicked out of the Presence of God, and who now has “come down to you in great anger, and he knows that he has little time.” (Revelation 12:12, NLT)  Evil has a name and a personality! "This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels." (Revelation 12:9, NLT)

It is true that much division, suffering, and conflict comes to this world because of ignorance, poverty, religion, or pride.  But, what is behind those ills of humanity?  Consider this. The Bible presents us with the fact that Evil is an organized conspiracy, orchestrated by the Devil, who works through the demon spirits, with the ultimate goal of destroying all that God has created and loves. War-mongering politicians, greedy corporate kings, abusive spouses, and kids who hate their parents share a common inspiration – the Devil!  If we fail to understand this we will attempt to solve problems by focusing only on symptoms, while allowing the disease of true evil to flourish. As important as education, eradication of poverty, and behavior modification might be in the effort to make the world a better place in which to live; they have limited ability to change a human heart. Only Christ Jesus can set us free from slavery to Satan and our own sinful nature. Only the Holy Spirit can transform our minds and hearts so that we are able to live whole and holy lives.

 

That is why as I remember 9/11 my prayer is a simple one, the words of Jesus – “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven!”

I do not fear Satan or his demons because I live under the authority of Christ who defeated evil at the Cross, and ultimately triumphed at the Resurrection.  But,  I have real respect for the power of evil, and so should you.  Christ Jesus restores my identity as a ‘child of God’ and the Spirit of God live in me. I am secure. John says of Believers, "they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony."  (Revelation 12:11, NLT) He alludes to the Exodus story, where the Israeli people who obediently responded in faith by putting the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts escaped the death angel’s judgment.  

Christ is our Passover, our Protector from spiritual destruction.  And yet, we face the attacks of the Devil.  He (and his forces – spiritual and human) come at us. Though we live in a world ‘with devils filled,’ that ‘threatens to undo us, we will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us.’ (Martin Luther) 

Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it then pray to be a part of the Divine Conspiracy to save Creation from the Devil and to see God’s kingdom come!
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world,
and the world listens to them.
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us;
but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.

This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."  (1 John 4:4-8, NIV)

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The Lord's Prayer (It's Yours)

Father let your kingdom come (holy holy)

Father let your will be done

On Earth as in Heaven (let it be done)

Right here in my heart

 

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us forgive us

As we forgive the ones who sinned

Against us forgive them

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from the evil one

Let your kingdom come

 

It's yours it's yours

All yours all yours

The kingdom the power

The glory are yours

It's yours it's yours

All yours all yours

Forever and ever

The kingdom is yours

 

On Earth as in Heaven

Right here in my heart

 

Bryan Fowler | Jacob Sooter | Matt Maher

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