December 13 - What Can I Do?

We live in a world filled with wickedness and injustice but do not know what to do about it. Other than condemning the wrong, there seems not to be too much we can do. Have you asked yourself, “What can I do about this?”

The psalmist wishes the Lord to slay the wicked and the men of blood. These people speak against God with malicious intent and God’s enemies take God’s name in vain. Other than hating those who hate the Lord, and loathing those who rise up against God, there is not much he can do. However, the psalmist is careful about his own soul. He does not want any reactive sins coming out of him because of the evildoers, so he prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The first precaution we must take is to keep ourselves pure and do not sin because of the sins of others.

The prophet Obadiah saw a vision about Edom and he brings God’s condemnation to its people. The Edomites were proud, violent, not helping the needy and weak, robbing others, taking out those who escaped and speaking boastfully. They stood aloof and would not offer help to their brother, Israel. Instead, they rejoiced in their misfortunes. What was God saying to Obadiah in the midst of all these? He promised actions to deal with Edom, that the exiles and remnants would possess the land and cities. God would rise up saviors to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s. This is the vision of the ultimate victory of the Lord which we must believe in. The wicked might be prospering but there is always God holding them accountable at the end.

What can we do about the wickedness around us? We can bring in God’s presence by praising Him. God sets up His throne in the praises of His people. When wickedness is multiplying and the world is seemingly being swept under their power, remember God is sovereign. The throne in heaven can come down and God the Judge will act. The four living creatures never cease to praise God, day and night, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” The twenty-four elders responded with, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.” When sin and darkness are all over the world, praising and worshiping God bring in the light of God’s presence.

What can you do about the wickedness around you? Keep yourself pure by not being provoked to sin. Have a firm belief in the goodness and sovereignty of God and keep praising Him.  Confront evil with these weapons now.