Do you ever feel like evil is triumphing all around you? Do you wonder why ungodly, even openly evil people, are allowed to succeed? Where is God when evil seems to get the upper hand? Is He still in control? If so, why would He allow it to happen? How do we maintain hope and trust that He will deal with evil and the people behind it? How do we trust what He’s up to in our lives when our prayers seem unanswered and life is hard and confusing?
Welcome to Soul Survival where I blog through the Bible in a Year along with Bible studies and other Christian living posts. This year I’ve added a couple of new features. First, check out the “Free Resources” tab at the top. You’ll find a downloadable, printable PDF with “Going Deeper Study Questions” for each Bible in a Year post. And … this year I’m also reading through the Bible on YouTube. You can check out my channel here. The daily emails now have a link to both the Soul Survival posts and the YouTube videos. I hope you’ll sign up.
Today’s Readings:
Genesis 41 & 42
Psalm 10.12-18
Proverbs 4.7-9
Matthew 14.1-21
Trusting God When Evil Seems to Triumph
Matthew 14.1-21:
The Death of John the Baptist
Here in this chapter, we have the sordid story of King Herod, Herodias, and Herodias’ daughter. Herodias was Herod’s unlawful wife, his half-brother’s ex-wife, and his uncle’s daughter. During Herod’s birthday celebration, Herodias sends her daughter to provide the entertainment by dancing for the men at his party—most likely a drunken “men’s affair.”
Perhaps Herodias had seen Herod looking at her young daughter when he thought she wouldn’t notice. Whatever the case, it seems she used her to manipulate Herod into giving her what she wanted! And what she wanted was revenge—John the Baptist’s head on a platter! John had publicly spoken against her incestuous behavior and she had decided to get even!
6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother (Matt. 14.6-11).
It certainly must have seemed that evil was allowed to triumph that day.
He Must Increase
When Jesus heard about John’s death:
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself … (v. 13).
Jesus must have grieved over the death of His cousin. But it was time for John to leave the stage and for Jesus to take full prominence. John himself had said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn. 3.30). God can and does use sinful people to fulfill His divine purposes, as He did here and would again when the religious leaders crucified Jesus.
Now let’s look at evil and God’s purposes in our Old Testament reading.
Genesis 41 & 42:
Joseph’s Story & Your Story
Here in these two chapters of Genesis, God’s purposes begin to unfold in Joseph’s life. God had used trials to prepare him and in the chapters to come, we’ll see that he has learned to trust God’s workings in his life. Now he’s ready to be placed on the world stage and to be reconciled with his family.
Yet, how difficult it must have been for Joseph when as a young boy, he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery (Gen. 37.12-36) or when he was falsely accused and jailed because of his integrity (Gen. 39). Or when God gave him the interpretation of those two other prisoners’ dreams, only to be betrayed once again (Gen 40). It may not seem so strange to us since we know the end of the story but think about it from Joseph’s perspective. It must have seemed as if evil was going to have the last say.
Evil & Confusion in Our Lives
The same can be true of us.
Is there something going on in your life that seems unfair, confusing, or evil? Have your prayers for God’s intervention gone unanswered?
I know there is in mine. I’ve prayed and continue to pray, but no real resolution. But as I reread this familiar story, I was reminded of the powerful truth that God is at work, even when I can’t see it. Perhaps understanding Joseph’s story can help you patiently wait on God, as well, and not lose hope when evil seems to triumph or life just seems unfair.
An Important Question to Ask Yourself When Evil Seems to Triumph
God’s ultimate purpose in the “all things” of our lives is that we become progressively more conformed to the image of Christ.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom. 8.28-29 ESV).
Jesus perfectly manifested the fruit of the Spirit so to become more like Him, we should be growing in those characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5.22-23).
So ask yourself, which characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit might God be growing in my life? And pray that God will help you stay faithful and respond in Christlike ways. When you do, accepting God’s work in your life will be easier and you’ll be cooperating with what God is doing instead of fighting against it.
But back to our main subject of evil and evil people. What about them? Do they just get away with it?
Psalm 10.12-18:
Evil People, No Fear of God
We have all heard stories of horrible crimes and acts of evil. It’s hard to turn on the news without hearing more and more.
What about the people responsible for such evil? How can some people sin so grievously without any fear of God? Let’s take a look at a couple of verses in our reading from Psalms.
Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, ‘You will not require an account’ (v. 13).
The New Living Translation says, “They think, ‘God will never call us to account.'”
When evil seems to triumph, those involved lack any fear of God because they don’t believe there will be a day of reckoning.
As we look around at our nation and the world today, it would be easy to conclude that evil and evil people are winning. But we can rest assured that God is still in control. He has a plan and He is faithfully working His plan. He will do what He says He will, including judge evil.
Vengeance Against Evil Is in God’s Hands
So, while He may allow evil and even use the wicked at times, unless they come to saving faith in Christ and the gospel, He will indeed judge them for their wickedness. Romans 12.19 says:
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
And Romans 6.23 says:
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, while God offers forgiveness and grace, those who reject it will pay the ultimate penalty, not just physical death, but eternal punishment where Jesus said the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die (Mk. 9.47-48). That means hell is neither purgatorial nor annihilating. Those who go there will suffer God’s judgment forever.
Our Source of Wisdom & Help
In the meantime, God gives wisdom and help to those who belong to Him. The next verse in Psalm 10 says this about Him:
But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless (v. 14).
So instead of losing hope when things don’t go according to our plans or life seems hard and confusing and instead of relying on our own strength, we can pray and trust God to work in His way and on His timetable.
And in the meantime, we need to remember what James said:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (Jas. 1.2-4).
God used the wickedness of Joseph’s brothers, time as a slave, false accusations, and neglect to prepare him for God’s purpose in his life. Rest assured, He is at work in your life and mine and the lives of all His people today. He uses tests and trials to produce steadfastness, to mature us as believers, and to prepare us for His purposes, as well.
And look at the next verse in James 1:
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (Jas. 1.5).
When we are in the midst of those trials, we can and should ask for God’s wisdom. When we respond accordingly, we can profit greatly from those trials.
And just in case we need another reminder about the importance of seeking His wisdom in it all, look at our reading from Proverbs.
Proverbs 4.7-9:
Get Wisdom
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding (v. 7).
Wisdom is the ability to rightly apply God’s Word to life. That’s why it’s so important to understand the Scriptures. We can’t apply what we don’t understand. The verse goes on to say, “… get understanding!”
Seek to understand. Why not pray as the psalmist did:
Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law (Ps. 119.18).
To “behold” is to really see. When we see and understand, we can rightly apply God’s truth. As we do, we grow in wisdom (Heb. 5.14) and we’re able to trust God even when evil seems to triumph, knowing that God is at work for our good and His glory (Rom. 8.28-29).
Evil & Abuse
Understanding how God uses tests and trials for our good does not mean that we always ignore something evil that’s done to us or someone else. While we are not to seek our own revenge or become bitter, there are times when evil should be reported to the appropriate authorities (police, church leadership, parents, etc.). This would apply to physical and sexual abuse. But it might also apply in cases of habitual sin like sexual immorality and substance abuse.
If you’re not sure of the proper response or you are struggling to handle the effects of something that has happened, I would encourage you to talk to your pastor or contact a biblical counselor. You can find one in your area here.
What Are Your Thoughts?
What helps you trust God when evil seems to triumph? Leave me a comment. It just may help someone else who is struggling.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, I’ll talk about handling betrayal, responding when others hurt you, one root of prejudice, and parenting by “the Book.”
I hope you’ll join me and, if you haven’t already, take the challenge to read through the Bible with me this year. Even though we may do it imperfectly or miss a day here and there, I find when we set it as a goal, we read far more of God’s Word than we would otherwise. I know we all get far too much email these days but having the daily devotion pop up in your inbox each day can serve as a general reminder to get into God’s Word. It goes out at 6 a.m. MST.
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest, and now listen on YouTube. Just click on the social media icons or go to my YouTube channel.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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