“Deliver us from evil.”

and if [God] rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸ (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. – 2 Peter 2:7-10

Perhaps you’ve been in a situation beyond your power of redemption or rescue. You want to help but you don’t have the resources, knowledge, wisdom, or opportunity to do so. It might be watching someone go through an emotional trial or physical disease – and you have nothing to offer except your prayers, presence, and listening ear. It’s even worse when the trouble is a force of evil that no one seems able to overcome. Cancer, war, famine, hurricane, or volcano: these are all the irresistible forces that force their way into our lives.

Peter says that God is able to rescue his people from the evil forces of this fallen world. Whether they are willing to acknowledge him or not, God will have the final say. This is a good word for us – not only as a word of encouragement when we’re facing difficulties of any kind, but also when we are tempted to force our way into others’ lives and disregard God’s ways, righteous commands, and command to love even our enemies.

There will come a day of judgment. There will be a day when every evil will be called to account. If the account is the merciful suffering of our Lord Jesus – even with tears – there will be grace and forgiveness. Where the account is an arrogant refusal to acknowledge God, admit one’s wrongs, and seek true justice, it will be a day of judgment and eternal punishment.

Thank you God for preserving us from evil. Indeed as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil!” Amen.