An ancient Hebrew poem (Psalm 74) contains a line that has captured my attention for years. While addressing God, the author says, "Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land" (Psalm 74:20 NIV). The author considers the dark places of the land as hide-outs of evil. And he asks God to keep his promises to his people and uses the dark places of the land as an argument to get God into action. "God," he says, " you have made us promises. And the existence of these dark places suggests that you have forgotten your promises. Remember your promises and act."
But God has no problem with us calling his attention to apparent problems in his management of the world. Its not as if he does not see. But when we call out for deliverance, we make clear who our Hero is, just in case there was any confusion.
What are the dark places in our world? Places of genocide. Places of rape. Places of abuse. Places of addiction. Places of pride in my own heart. Places of responsibilities abandoned. Places of fear. Places of shame. Places of adultery.
Jesus does not fear dark places. The Bible says that he came as the Hero to destroy the works of the evil one. On the Cross he won a victory over the devil, sin, shame and despair. The devil cannot condemn those that Jesus has justified. The devil cannot tempt those who are satisfied in Jesus. Shame disappears when we have been adopted into the family of God. Despair ends when we know that Jesus WILL make all things new.
And so, looking at our world, we cry out to Jesus, "Remember you covenant with your people. The dark places of the land have become the haunt of evil. Let the work of your Cross shine light into those dark places. Deliver from addictions, shame, pain, evil, irresponsibility, terror. Come and make all things new."
Its not as if God had forgotten. Even in his delays God is loving on us.
But God has no problem with us calling his attention to apparent problems in his management of the world. Its not as if he does not see. But when we call out for deliverance, we make clear who our Hero is, just in case there was any confusion.
What are the dark places in our world? Places of genocide. Places of rape. Places of abuse. Places of addiction. Places of pride in my own heart. Places of responsibilities abandoned. Places of fear. Places of shame. Places of adultery.
Jesus does not fear dark places. The Bible says that he came as the Hero to destroy the works of the evil one. On the Cross he won a victory over the devil, sin, shame and despair. The devil cannot condemn those that Jesus has justified. The devil cannot tempt those who are satisfied in Jesus. Shame disappears when we have been adopted into the family of God. Despair ends when we know that Jesus WILL make all things new.
And so, looking at our world, we cry out to Jesus, "Remember you covenant with your people. The dark places of the land have become the haunt of evil. Let the work of your Cross shine light into those dark places. Deliver from addictions, shame, pain, evil, irresponsibility, terror. Come and make all things new."
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