Deliver Us From Evil

 

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV)

 

It’s clear to us, as we look at the world of today, that evil has grown. It’s clear to us that evil has become worse. We see it in world events as well as in the actions of individuals.

 

We see this also as we look over the course of time. What was once unthinkable has now become common. What was once absurd has now become very real and ordinary.

 

As we’re confronted with this evil, we wonder what can be done about it. We wonder where we can look for help. And we look to many individuals and institutions to provide that help.

 

We look to our legislators. We do so, believing they can create laws that will eliminate the evil with which we live. We look to the courts. We do so, believing that they can change the moral compass of our nation. We look to the military. We do so, believing that their might can not only hold evil at bay, but put an end to it in the places it is sent. We look to our schools and universities. We do so, believing that if only a better education is granted to more people, they will leave their evil thoughts and actions behind. And we look to psychologists, counselors, and health professionals. We do so, believing that the source of evil is nothing more than an illness or a disease to be treated.

 

In the prior two verses, Paul asked for prayer from the people. He asked for prayer that he and his companions might be delivered from evil, or from the evil one. “For not all have faith,” he reminds them.  But, as he goes on to state in the verse seen above, “the Lord is faithful.”

 

The Lord, he says, will establish them and guard them against the evil one. He will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. He will establish them and keep them from evil.

 

Although it’s a simple reminder, what is the source of our help? What is the source of our deliverance? That source is none other than the Lord.

 

Certainly, he can work through people and institutions to carry out his work. He can use legislators and the courts. He can use armies and military might. He can use the education system and health professionals. But we must bear in mind that he alone is the source of our aid.

 

We, then, must look to him. This, after all, is what Jesus taught us to do. He taught us to pray to the Father that he might deliver us from evil. He taught us to pray to the Father that he might deliver us from the evil one.

 

And, no matter how it may seem, we can know and believe that he will do just that. He will do so because he is faithful. He will do so because is both willing and able to guard us.