Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV

     Habakkuk asked the question that many people ask even today: If God is so good, why does He allow so much evil to exist, and how long will evil win? Truth is, over the centuries and even today, many ask this question. While we may not know the answer with human knowledge, as Christians, we can rest assured that God is in total control. Christians are to have faith, believing and trusting God even when things might not make sense. “The righteous shall live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4b ESV  When experiencing directly the consequences of evil, remember what appeared to be the greatest evil that has ever happened in this world. Jesus, God’s only Son, the perfect Lamb of God, was crucified for the sins of the world. Have you ever asked, “God, if you’re so good, how could you allow your only Son to experience such evil?” If God had not allowed the crucifixion, we would all die with no hope. We would die in the consequence of our sin. Evil never wins, even though at the time it may be appearing to do so. God had a plan at Calvary and still does in the world today. Evil is not and will not win even if it appears to be doing so from our perspective.

     Every person in the world places their faith in someone or something. Where have you placed your faith this day? Faith is to the Christian what air is to the lungs. Faith is believing God was, is, and always will be. Faith believes that He has overcome the world in you. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that who overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 ESV

Do You Believe The Voice of Evil, or God?
     During the liberation of prisoners from the German concentration camps, these words were found etched in the wall.
          I believe in the sun, even though it does not shine
          I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown.
          I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.

     What we dedicate our minds to is going to affect our faith. The battle is fought, then won or lost, in the mind. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 ESV

     The voice of God says: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

How To Have Victory over Evil.
     You believe that God is always with you no matter what you experience or feel. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, spoke these words to us. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20b ESV  “In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

     Corrie ten Boom, who spent time in the concentration camps, said, “There is no pit so deep that God isn’t deeper still.”

     Victory comes when you take God at His word no matter what your circumstance is. The battle at times might be so strong that you may need to cry the prayer, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24 ESV

Resolve Yourself To Have Faith In God’s Salvation!!!
     Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD; I WIIL TAKE JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV

     The same sun that hardens the clay melts the wax. (a quote by George Buttrick)

     It is our choice whether we will let suffering and misfortune of life harden or soften us. We can choose to be hopeful or hopeless. We can decide whether we will be an optimist or a pessimist. It all depends on how we look at it, and we determine in which direction we look. (Rick Ezell, Pastor FBC Greer, South Carolina.)

 

     Jesus is our hope and salvation in the mist of evil. By His name we are saved, and in Him we live and have life. When your world seems to overtake you, ask Jesus to take over your world. By His grace and mercy, and by invitation, Jesus will live in you through the Holy Spirit. When this happens, you can have the assurance that, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David