Where Do We Turn In This Evil Hour?

There is so much in our society and world to raise concern. Regardless of one’s political bent there is always something to cause us to worry. Our government is run by human, sinful people who may or may not do what is best for our country and our people. As we get closer to the end of time, it will get worse. Where do we turn? What hope do we have?

Man’s Power

John 19:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

The power that human rulers have is only given to them by God. They would have no power unless He allowed it, which begs the question of why He allowed certain rulers like Hitler and Nero to gain power at all? Because the Bible was written before these men, we cannot know specifically, but there were others like them from whom we can learn.

Two Rulers

In the first half of the book of Exodus, we see the story of Israel in slavery to the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was cruel and heartless and, moreover, was afraid of Israel so he commanded that all of their male children be killed at birth to prevent their growth. When God sent Moses to free His people, Pharaoh refused. He hardened his heart. He even made the work of the Israelites more difficult to spite them for their attempts to leave. But even in this, God had a plan. He used it for His good purpose.

Exodus 9:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But, indeed, for this reason I [God] have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth.

God used this wicked man to proclaim His glory. The nations God’s people encountered after that were afraid because they had heard of the mighty things God had done in Egypt. It also gave the Israelites a desire to leave Egypt to go to the Promised Land. They would not have done so otherwise.

Centuries later, the Israelites were in the Promised Land and had turned away from God. He warned them many times to repent of their sin but they would not, so God used an evil king, Nebuchadnezzer, to discipline them. He allowed the Babylonians to conquer Israel and take them captive as punishment for their continued rebellion and sin. But He did not leave this evil king unpunished. God is always just and never allows sin to escape. Nebuchadnezzer was eventually stricken with madness and dwelt as a cow for 7 years because of his arrogance, and he finally acknowledged God’s almighty sovereignty.

Daniel 4:35-36 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Unable to Judge

Just because God allows an evil person to rule does not mean that He ignores their sin and injustice.

Acts 2:22-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (emphasis added)

Many in Jesus’ day did not understand why God allowed Him to be arrested and crucified. It seemed to be the end of everything He worked and stood for. But it was all part of God’s plan, and it was the only way that plan could be accomplished. Jesus had to die in order to pay for our sins. God knew what would happen. Nothing takes Him by surprise.

Proverbs 21:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

Our Responsibility

Romans 13:1-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

No matter what our rulers do, we are still responsible to do our part, to obey and do what is right because God has allowed us to be under their rule for a reason. We are to be the example because our actions are a testimony of God to the world. But we can take heart because God is still in complete, sovereign control. Even though we can’t see what He is doing, or know how it will end, we can trust that He is working for our good and His glory as He has promised. Unlike us, He can see everything that is going on, and what will happen in the future. He knows the end result of every action. We can trust Him.

            1 Peter 2:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

            Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Daniel 2:20-23 NASB

 Daniel said,

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
“It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
“To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

We cannot know or understand all that God knows or understands. We cannot see what He sees, now or in the future. We have to trust God’s plan for we cannot know what it is. He is our overall, sovereign Lord, and though we may have evil men over us, He is over them. He never leaves sin unpunished or evil men out of check. We can trust His plan.

Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’

Trust in the Lord!