The true cost of living in this world is contradiction. I walk down the street shrouded in salvation, yet see death banging on every door.
Light entered the world; the darkness cannot overcome it. But oh my how it tries.
Although the tempter and accuser of God’s people was defeated by heaven’s armies and fell to earth, it seems the father of lies is satisfied to spend his time down here snatching children from their paths of purpose. Jesus showed up to protect and serve the little ones walking home, and He calls us to keep them in the light until the Lord returns.
My heart hurts because I wonder if we’re doing a good job. Nations rage, rulers plot in vain, and innocence slips through the cracks. I look to Scripture to see what God thinks about all this.
“The One enthroned in heaven laughs.”1
God is laughing? Well, I imagine it as more of a shrug, like a wordless question: Who are you to mock Me and My children?
God is the First and the Last, the Author and the Finisher. The end of the story is already written, and He devised plot twists we humans can’t even imagine. Innocence, once lost, is paradise found.
Meanwhile, Satan saw the final draft and is filled with fury because he knows his time is short. So, yes, the Lord scoffs at the wicked. The Mighty One laughs, “for He knows their day is coming.”2
Thus, Scripture tells me that if God is laughing, we have no reason to despair. We have work to do.
The battle lines are drawn. The beasts of the Abyss will bring the fury until the bitter end, and ours is a daily fight – darkness raging against the divine. Truth be told, our hearts ache because some days we aren’t sure who is winning, but we can grapple from behind to God’s glory, because we do know who triumphs in the end.
So let our godly sorrow bloom with godly sincerity, an indignation to see justice done. When we put our trust in the Word that is Faithful and True, we will be strengthened to help others discover they are sealed and destined with a purpose.
