A Reflection of Faith in the Face of Evil in the World by Gene Filio

Please read: Psalm 17:1-24

As I was walking home, after buying some food for dinner, I was cut-off by two young kids. The younger of the two pointed a gun at my face and the taller kid took all my money and my wallet. So I just let them take everything and let me be. I was not scared for my life that day; I was worried because I was not able to bring home my wife her favorite chocolate.

Two types of Evil

Evil that does not involve human willing or acting

Destructive forces of nature such as hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, storms, volcanic eruption, earthquakes, tsunami, flooding and the like.

Diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer and the like.

Evil that can be traced to the choice and action of man

War, crime, cruelty, murder, kidnapping, abuse, oppression, discrimination, slavery, injustices and others too numerous to mention.

Resolving the issue of evil and the goodness of God

God is Sovereign over all his creation – Evil is apparent all around us. It is imperative to understand the connection between good and evil. Good is that which glorifies God, fulfills his will and conforms to his nature. What we may term as evil may actually be the means to a greater good. We must always be reminded; “All things work together for good to them that loved the Lord.” The destructive forces of nature, legally termed as acts of God, may not be destructive at all but the way the planet convalesces itself. Death always follows such catastrophes and most of time very tragic. From such a time we can find the best and also the worst of man. Diseases are painful to the afflicted and also to those who are close to that person. However, diseases also teach us to be closer to our maker and potter. All of us are like jars of clay in the hands of the master potter. Some of us may come to term with the disease. However, there are some who may find God differently.

We are living in a fallen and broken world – All have sin and fall short of the glory of God. The whole of creation has been affected by the sin of man. And parts of the evils we now experience are a result of the curse of God upon creation. What is our option; to obey God and live or to disobey God and suffer the consequence of a fallen and broken world?

We reap what we sow – This is a divine principle that we must always keep in mind. We bring evil upon ourselves by our own sinful or unwise actions and activities. Sin is basically doing what is not right; violations of God’s law. A chain smoker would most likely develop lung cancer and an alcoholic would most likely develop cirrhosis of the liver.

God took upon Himself the sins and evil of the world

A Summary of Isaiah 53 “The Suffering Servant”

…He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.

…He was pierced for our transgressions.

…the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all.

…He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgression.

Make God your partner as we travel the road prepared for us. Your road may be steep, bumpy, muddy, thorny and difficult. But, at the end of our journey is a city on a hill. God had prepared a mansion for each one of us. Pray and keep on praying more and more and more. Never ever lose sight of hope. Remember and never ever forget God is merciful and full of compassion.

Shema!

 

Finding Faith in Troubled Times by Gene Filio

A Troubled Times

Look at the news today; approximately 120,000 dead in Myanmar due to a cyclone and neglect, a 7.9 earthquake caused the death of more than 30,000 people in China many of them school children and only child in a family, six million children in Ethiopia faces malnutrition, 9 working people brutally killed inside a bank, 8 dead 5 of them sleeping children massacred by a monster with an M-16 rifle. Knock, knock Hello, Mr. Crypt are you asking how a loving God would allow such a thing to happen to innocent people.

Lord, you have given hope to Brother Jun and you have kept him safe in your mercy for a long time. A year ago, he has given up hope but Lord you showed him compassion. A year has passed, he has to undergo chemo-therapy again but it seems his body is frail and weak. But, I know and the church knows; we all know our God is an awesome God who reigns! Sister Muriel has waited for four years and years of painful dialysis for a kidney and pancreas donor and my Lord and my God you did a good job. When I first saw her she can barely stand nor walk by herself. Now she’s as agile as her 17 year old donor; may she be enjoying your heavenly bliss.

GOD IS NOW HERE

Mr. Crypt you may have been blind and deaf for a long, long time. You have eyes but you were blinded by sin and ignorance. You have ears but your ears were covered by your selfishness and conceit. You just do not want to listen. You just do not want to see. All that you crave for and all that you ever wanted most are the lust of your flesh and the pride of your life. What else is new Mr. Crypt? God to you is a non-entity. God to you is some one who does not care. God to you is no where. But as for me and to all who have faith; GOD IS NOW HERE!

God does not delight in suffering and death. He is pained the more when any of us His creature suffers or is facing death. He shed his blood for us. He wept. He cried out loud from excruciating pain and agony. Through our pain and suffering God accomplished His purpose and will. That we may know Him the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ our Savior.

God accomplished His purpose and will

At the cross of Calvary, God showed us through Jesus that He could take the pain and bear it for our sake. When we suffer He suffered the most. When we are in pain He was pained the more. For His love is far greater than any pain or any suffering that we could ever bear. And He bears them all. Do you know that you can take your pain and suffering to God? He said, “Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest…” The truth was He took our pain, our suffering and our death with Him at the cross.

At the cross of Calvary, God showed us through Jesus that He could face death and triumphed over it. He conquered the fear and pangs of death so that we also could face it with hope of life. For we are all looking forward to that glorious day when God would tap us on our shoulder and say, “well done good and faithful servant.”

In Life Two things are sure to come; Death and Taxes.

Ephatha!