Resisting Evil and Embracing Grace

Scripture Readings:
Psalm 17 – A prayer for God’s protection and justice.
Zechariah 3:1-10 – Cleansing from sin and a vision of restoration.
2 Peter 2:4-21 – The dangers of sin and turning from righteousness.

Each of us faces battles—some within, some around us. We struggle with personal demons: addiction, pride, anger, fear, or doubt. And we live in a world where evil manifests in systems of oppression, greed, and violence. Lent is a time to confront these forces, not with despair but with faith, knowing that God calls us beloved—the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
In Zechariah 3, we witness a powerful vision: the high priest Joshua stands before God, clothed in filthy garments, while Satan accuses him. Yet God does not condemn him. Instead, God rebukes the Accuser and replaces Joshua’s soiled clothes with rich, clean attire. This exemplifies grace. We, too, approach God burdened by the stains of our failures. However, God’s desire is not to shame us but to restore us.
2 Peter 2 warns of the dangers of returning to sin and turning from the truth. Evil is real, and it works to drag us back into destructive patterns. We must be vigilant, resisting not only the temptations in our hearts but also the forces perpetuating suffering and injustice in the world.

How Do We Resist Evil?
On a Personal Level:

• Name your struggles—whether it’s fear, selfishness, addiction, or anger. Bring them to God in honest prayer.
• Surround yourself with people who strengthen your faith and encourage righteousness.
• Feed your soul with God’s Word, worship, and prayer rather than vices and lies that numb or mislead you.

On a Community Level:

• Stand against injustice. If you see oppression, corruption, or harm, speak truth and take action.
• Build a culture of grace. Offer forgiveness and reconciliation where there is division.
• Be a beacon of hope. Share God’s love in tangible ways—through service, generosity, and advocacy.

Living in Abundance and Hope
God does not call us to a life of fear or scarcity, but to a life of abundance and hope. Psalm 17 reminds us that we are precious to God, and He longs to satisfy us with His presence:
"As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness." (Psalm 17:15)
We are not meant to live in cycles of guilt and fear. We are meant to feed on God’s grace, drawing strength from His love and walking in freedom. As individuals and as communities, we can choose to step out of the darkness of sin and into the light of renewal.

Lenten Application:

1. Reflect: What personal struggles or societal evils are you called to confront?
2. Resist: What practical step can you take to resist temptation or stand for justice?
3. Renew: How can you embrace the abundance and hope of God’s grace today?

Prayer:
God of mercy and justice, I come before You as the apple of Your eye, beloved and redeemed. I confess my struggles and the times I have turned away from Your ways. Clothe me in Your righteousness and strengthen me to resist evil in my life and in the world. Fill me with Your grace so that I may walk in abundance, hope, and truth. Amen.
Reflection Question: Where is God calling you to be a light against darkness in your life and community?