Chasing Rabbits



"Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked, for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out." (Proverbs 24:19-20)



Most of us over the age of 35 remember the horror of September 11, 2001. Since the Civil War, the United States had not been attacked on its continental soil, and so the whole country stood glued to their TV sets in stunned agony at the evil atrocity of the terrorists' hostility. But was it terrorists? Please, don't break your ankle in that rabbit hole! Whatever the case, evil men working for the devil were behind it.



Since then, many have promised retribution for those acts, and "wars and rumors of wars" continue unabated (Mark 13:7). Scripture tells us that men's hatred against those who claim the name and lifestyle of our Lord Jesus will continue (John 15:18), but all vengeance belongs solely to God (Heb 10:30).



The confusion for many is in forgetting that our "enemy" isn't the latest terrorist group that lays claim to some cowardly act, but it is the devil who "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).



It is difficult to experience the peace we desire while continually slammed by the mainstream media with the latest details of our planet's evils. The "joy of the LORD" is what brings us strength (Neh 8:10). We have joy when we are "rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" (1 Tim 6:18) as we share some of our Lord Jesus' constant love for others.



What allows us to count on our heavenly Father's reliable supply of everything we need (Phil 4:19) is that we first seek "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matt 6:33). 



"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1). When evil things bombard our lives and memories, we do well to refocus our attention on "things above" instead of "things on the earth" (v. 2).



There are plenty of the devil's rabbits to chase down their holes, and I have done my fair share of that! Where is your focus, my friends? Mine is finally constantly, daily, and hourly focused on my attempt to do the will of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm afraid this wasn't always the case with me, but God is relentless in administering His love toward us, and I'm thankful for that!