"Evil Days" October 11 Readings: Jeremiah 25-26, Ephesians 5, Psalm 115:15–18, Proverbs 24:30–34

Today's Readings -  Jeremiah 25-26, Ephesians 5, Psalm 115:15–18, Proverbs 24:30–34

Devotional 

We arrived in the Casamance region of Senegal and found something we had not expected. The people of the Ehing villages were preparing for the once-in-a-generation ritual of their animistic religion. It was as if we were walking into a time of special darkness as hearts and minds were turned toward the worship of false gods in an unusual way. 

But southern Senegal is not along. Our own nation is giving evidence of exactly what the Apostle Paul observed in Ephesians 5:16. There, he said, 

"...the days are evil." 

He looked at the world around him and realized that wickedness was entrenched in Roman culture and things didn't look like they were getting better. I cannot say whether our world is more or less sinful than the one in which Paul lived - I've got suspicions!  But we look around us and we see the Enemy seeming to gain ground daily. Our world is abandoned to immorality and perversion, it rushes headlong into self-centeredness and self-indulgence, it is completely devoted to materialism. Yes, the days are evil. Only a thin veneer of self-righteousness separates us from the animists of the villages I walked in last week.

But that is not a reason to give up, to despair or to become hopeless. When the days are evil, the light of Christ shines brightest in us. Paul gave this advice for those living in Christ in an evil world.

^" Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time..."

Too often, we use the fact that the world is evil, that "everyone is doing it," that "no one is perfect," as an excuse for our sinful ways. Instead, Paul encourages them to walk carefully, wisely and to use their time and opportunities well. 

The key to this, of course, is found in verse 18. 

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live carefully in a world rushing headlong into sin. It is the Spirit who empowers us to walk in wisdom in a world of folly. It is the Spirit who guides us so that we can use our opportunities to serve God and make a difference in this world. 

Father, fill me with your Spirit that I might walk carefully in this evil world. Grant me wisdom and spiritual strength. 

Think and Pray

 You are the light of the world, Jesus said. Is the world seeing Jesus' light in you, or are you hiding the light under a basket?