Responding to evil in the world

by | Mar 7, 2024

There are several possible responses to the evil weighing on our world.

One is to become demoralized by it and lose heart…

… which takes away your drive and motivation.

Another way to respond to evil is to get used to it and accept it…

… which leads to ethical compromise and loss of vision.

But another way to respond is with what the Bible calls ‘laments.’

… which strengthens us to live by faith and continue to trust the Lord.

Laments are a kind of prayer that takes hold of God and appeals to Him.

Such prayers are gut-level honest expressions of concern…

They make the case that the present circumstances are wrong and call for the Lord’s intervention.

And then a lament resolves in faith that God will do what’s right, in His own way and time.

The Bible presents laments as a standard way for believers to respond to evil.

So we ought to incorporate them ourselves.

A good place to start is with Psalm 12, which laments the way lies have become standard fair.

Another lament to get familiar with is Psalm 64 which confesses the mess we have become, and seeks God’s help.

You can find other laments in Psalms 13, 44. 79, 83, 109 and more.

In days of evil, don’t lose heart and give way.

Make your case to God with prayers of lament.

 

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