As I have shared with you before, I begin most days reading a devotional and writing in my prayer journal. The devotional book I am currently using is “Jesus Always’ by Sarah Young.
Last week I read a devotion that made me fold the page down so I would remember to go back to it for one of my Wednesday messages. I was reminded by the words Sarah shared with us that evil has been present since Adam and Eve decided their favorite fruit was an apple. It got so bad at one time that God decided to flood the earth. It might seem more rampant than ever, but the reality is, 24-hour news stations throw evil and violence in our face all day every day. In 2016 Sarah Young shared the following. Please remember she writes as if Jesus is speaking directly to each of us.
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Sometimes you feel bombarded with all the bad things happening in the world. News reports are alarming, and people now seem to accept evil as a good thing. All of this can be overwhelming unless you stay in communication with me. I am saddened but not surprised by the horrors you see around you. I know fully the deceitful, wicked condition of human hearts. Unless people are redeemed through saving faith in Me, their potential for doing wrong is unlimited.
Instead of being disheartened by the condition of the world, I want my followers to be lights shining in the darkness. When evil appears to be winning, be more determined than ever to accomplish something good, Sometimes this will involve working directly against the bad things that upset you. At other times it will be a matter of doing whatever you can to promote biblical goodness, according to your gifts, abilities, and circumstances. Either way, you focus less on bemoaning evil and more on working to create something that is good.
Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
We need to shine brightly to overcome the darkness in our world. So, let’s do it!
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina