Evil is rising in the world and in our culture. It surrounds us. We don’t have to look very far or try with any effort to find it. Darkness hovers, increasingly more accessible.
If you are like me, you feel a variety of responses to the condition of our world. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the levels of evil. Other times I get angry at the permissions evil has been given to infiltrate and destroy. When I’m not angry or overwhelmed, I want to work for change so that I can feel like I’ve done something about the situation instead of sitting back and complaining or going into hiding.
Here we are in the fourth week of Lent, the season in which God helps us see our sinfulness leading us to turn to him for redemption. His call to us as his followers includes a delicate mix of intercession for the lost, witness of his work in our lives, and rest in him as our refuge.
In the remainder of this devotional, I’ll share with you Bible verses that strengthen, comfort, and guide as we continue to stand in the world shining the light of truth and hope.
I trust the Lord will speak to you, as he has to me, through His Word.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent, for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:5-11 (NIV)
No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:1-7 (NIV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
You shall increase my greatness and comfort me on every side. Psalm 71:21(NKJV)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
You are my Lord. Do not withhold your compassion from me. Let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. Psalm 40:11
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7 (NIV)
Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Stand fast, therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 39:17-22 (NIV)
