The sermon this week was about evil. There are two things that are important to me when it comes to this topic. On the one hand, we must never minimize evil. It is wicked, and it really hurts. When someone is suffering some evil, the first response we are to offer is not to say some frothy something, even if (or especially if!) that comes in the form of a verse. ('All things work together…') Oftentimes, the right response is something more like weeping with the person.
It is only after extending that kind of comfort - and 'after' may mean days or even weeks - that the other important thing comes into play. The suffering person needs to know that (be reminded that/be helped to cling to the idea that) God intends that evil for good. This is, first, simply the truth, a fact. But in addition, it is the basis for hope. And I'm not talking about some 'wishing in the darkness' kind of hope. I mean a robust, Gospel hope that has nothing to do with mere wishing. It's all about embracing a promise of God and then simply waiting until He keeps that promise. He intends that evil for good. That is a promise that God will keep. And knowing that gives hope.
But having a robust, Gospel hope depends on some basic facts about God. For one thing, He runs this universe - completely, down to every last atom. And that means He sent the evil. But that must always be connected to this: God's love for His people is greater than what we can imagine. He has a deep affection for us, and He is determined to see us thrive. So, sending the evil is part of His plan of love.
It is only this kind of solid, biblical understanding of God that can give real hope in a world filled with evil. Failing to know the real God and what He is about will result in fear in the face of evil and not hope. So, among other things, the way to prepare for the evil that will certainly touch your life is to get to know your God really well. And that is something that Jesus makes possible.