Several of these ordinary citizens were interviewed on television last night. Some of them expressed their incredulity that so many were out of control and behaving as thugs and criminals. This morning, police say that the instigators came to the game with weapons, equipment and full intentions to commit crime, not to cheer for their favorite team.
There has always been an element in society that is more bent on evil than the rest of us. I cannot hold anyone up as “holier than thou” for without the forgiveness and cleansing power of God, we are all sinners without hope and without the ability to stop our selfishness, but evil is often measured on a scale. Consider this psalm written hundreds of years ago.
Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” (Psalm 12:1–4)Any of the people in Vancouver who were dismayed at the actions of their citizens could have said something like this. Where did this defiance come from? What happened? Why did we not stand against evil instead of falling in with looters and rioters?
In similar dismay, the psalmist cries out to God. Some versions start this psalm with a simple, “Help, Lord.” Did anyone say that on Wednesday night? Their faces did, if not their mouths. I recognize their helplessness for sometimes I feel like that too. Not only did this one dark night bring out the worst in that crowd, evil seems to continually express itself in all parts of the world. The answers that I hope for and the words that are often on my own lips are found in the rest of this psalm . . .
“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. (Psalm 12:5–8)The Word of God is filled with promises of His protection, yet so many live in fear. I’ve neighbors whose security-protected homes are like a stronghold. One constantly looks over her shoulder as if attackers are behind her, as if she is in the midst of a riot all the time. This is not how God wants His people to live. He says,
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. . . . Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. . . . Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. (Excerpts from Psalm 37:1–11)
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Father, the Bible records Your dealings with humanity, giving those who read it a peek into the future also. You have always cared for Your people and watched over those who put their faith in You. Through the psalmist, You urge me to not be anxious about mob mentality or those who are bent on evil. You have let me read history’s last chapter. The end of the story reveals that wickedness is defeated — and Jesus wins. Thank You for this assurance. May those who trust You realize that You can be trusted. Your mercy and grace will defeat sin and eventually bring Your people into eternal peace.
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