I used to look at what’s going on in our country and think that surely Jesus is about to return. How could He stand what’s going on one more minute?
And then came 2020. That’s when the whole planet went rogue. Usually, I’m oblivious to what’s going on in other countries, but the news I read these days reveals the roiling of the whole globe in a cauldron of wickedness.
Some say that it’s the believer’s duty to fight all this off with everything in us. In certain cases, yes. What’s going on in the public schools, for example, is something parents just can’t turn a blind eye to. Protect your kids. But there are other things going on we can’t do much about… the rise of wicked leaders in so many countries; wars; the push to reduce the global population; open borders allowing in criminals, terrorists, drugs and child trafficking; defunding of police departments… and on and on.
How are we to view this and not just become militant? Don’t forget God. He has a plan and a purpose.
Let me start with this: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov 16:4)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Pet. 2:9)
There was a dress rehearsal for how this is all going to end up in Ex. 9:13-16 when God gave Moses a message to deliver to that wicked slave master Pharoah. God said that He was going to bring plagues on Pharoah and his people. God already knew Pharoah wouldn’t repent, and things would continue to get worse. Why? For this cause have I raised thee (Pharoah) up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Ex 9:16).
That right there was and is God’s design. Never forget that God created each and every one of us, including all these evil beasts.
In the context of His sovereign plan for the ages, He calls us all vessels. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Rom 9:21-22)
Isn’t this what God did with Pharoah? He endured with longsuffering all of Pharoah’s rejection and the worsening of circumstances for his subjects.
Let’s carry this “vessel” theme a little further. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Tim 2:20) Pharoah was a vessel to dishonor. So was Judas. So are the faceless puppet masters who are really running this global horror show, human and spiritual.
Today God is enduring with longsuffering these people and their wicked schemes. He knows their end. Just like Pharoah. He made them and they are being vessels that will accomplish God’s grand plan, which involves His glory. Wickedness looks exceedingly wicked to us right now. That is to show the coming brightness of God’s pure glory in contrast, and the justness of God’s wrath when He metes it on their head. They are going to fall into the pit that they have dug for others.
Let’s go to our earlier verses and draw some comfort:
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov 16:4)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Pet. 2:9)
We don’t have to fight these people. It’s not our job. Let God do it in His perfect time and way. Meanwhile, here is our hope…That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Eph. 1:10)
Jody
Comments