DUDLEY HALL — “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32 ESV)

Another senseless shooting! Another war breaks out! Another child abused! Another poor decision by civil officials! Another ridiculous tweet!

“Come Lord Jesus!”

The troubled times can seem so unbearable that we cry for relief. Some have built their whole eschatology on the hope of being taken out before the real tough stuff begins. But that is not the pattern we find in the biblical narrative. It was God himself who created the Serpent. The story that God tells includes a tough choice for the couple he created. Conflict between good and evil is implicit in all present creation. Cain had to deal with the sin crouching at the door when God did not accept Cain’s offering. Even after the Flood there were evil people trying to make a name for themselves by building a tower. Abraham had to choose between an evil heart of unbelief and true faith. Joseph had to face rejection by his own brothers, slavery, accusation, injustice and loneliness.

After God’s deliverance of Abraham’s descendents from Egyptian bondage, he thrust them into a world of conflict. They faced large armies, the Red Sea, hunger, thirst and giants. They were not rescued, but because they belonged to God they were victorious. Before going to the cross, Jesus asked if there was another way, and the answer was obviously, “no last minute rescue.” God redeems, reconciles, restores, and regenerates, but he doesn’t always rescue us from experiencing trouble. Sometimes he changes the circumstances, but he always changes our perspective.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

God has not relegated his creation to the control of an evil enemy. What the first Adam lost in the fall, the last Adam regained. Now God is working through the new Adam’s race to defeat evil with good, to displace darkness with light, to destroy hatred with love, and to fulfill his original intent for creation. We are significant in his plan. We have been loved by God, so we can love like God. We have been redeemed so we can act as ambassadors of redemption in all creation. Sure, there are obstacles, and sometimes the way appears impossible. However, we are citizens of a kingdom that does not originate from the powers of the earth and is not limited to the powers of man.

Our hope is not in escape, but in victory. There is a modern-day Goliath bellowing his threats at God’s people. There is no way we can withstand him alone. If we rely on our human observation, we will cower in fear and beg for rescue. We have a champion. He has faced this giant, felled him, and cut off his head. He will lead his people to claim the victory he has assured. We are not looking for a way out, but for the wisdom to apply his victory to our situation. There is coming a day when all injustice will be eradicated — but until then we live without fear of an enemy whose threats are exposed as lies. We are eager to claim what our Lord has redeemed, and we are not surprised that it means trouble. In the darkness the light shines bright. In every detail of our lives we cry, “Come Lord Jesus — and take what you redeemed.”