I want you to take a moment and think about the “climate” of the world. And I am not talking about the weather. What I mean is the civil unrest that we’re seeing all across the planet. Everywhere you look, there is hatred and vile. Evil has become good. Good has become evil. And it seems to be perpetuated by the media. If you need an example, just look at this recent election. All of the ugliness back-and-forth between the two parties. Look at what’s happening in Ukraine. Look at what’s happening in the Middle East.
Now, as you think about this, I still want you to think about being thankful. What are we being thankful for? That can be hard to do when you’re thinking about evil. But…today I am thankful that we have the ability to denounce and combat evil. I’m thankful that we can denounce hate. Thankful that we can choose to avoid it. Thankful that we don’t have to let it take hold and control us. We don’t have to let it make us fearful. We don’t have to accept it. That’s because we are covered with the grace of God. That’s what I’m thankful for. The ability to pray to the Lord and Savior and not let evil take over.
Unfortunately, we live in a world full of evil. Full of hate. Satan is doing his job very well. You don’t have to look very far to see it. Global terrorism. Domestic violence. Child abuse. Etc. And just simply hating your neighbor instead of loving them. Evil is everywhere. But the good news is this, Good is everywhere too. Peoples’s hearts are opening to serve others. Miracles are happening daily. The Holy Spirit is moving and changing lives. Ultimately in the end, we win. Christianity wins. Satan will not be victorious. Jesus won that for us on the cross. The victory has been declared. So today be thankful. Be thankful that we have a loving God. And his love is much greater than any evil that we will ever face. No amount of suffering we have on earth will compare to what we’re going to feel and see in heaven for eternity. Because God loves us. Always has. Always will.