There are those who argue that evil never wins. They suggest that good conquers all; if one only stands for the right everything will take care of itself. This isn’t true in the world I live in; I doubt it is in yours.
Evil gets results. Exploit the powerless and their hard work gets the job done so that you can take credit for things. Deceive and manipulate and things will, at least for a period of time, work exactly in the way that one intends. This isn’t new.
John’s words recorded Evil at work in his vision. The “second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.” (Revelation 13.13-17)
This unfair, harsh, and painful reality describes recent days. Evil is on the rampage, some it coming from my own hands! It is far too easy to accept the need for results at the expense of compassion, mercy, and love. Exploitation and hatred are emotions that come readily; try to muster unconditional acceptance and the mysterious thing called grace in the middle of a battle for survival! Living to play another day takes on far more importance than laying down one’s life for the principle and values that one might hold dear while watching a beautiful sunset with your best friend.
Today is a new day with opportunities. I wonder if I have the courage to break the cycle of yesterday’s Evil. Unless God is on side there is no hope.
