“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19
It is election time here and the media loves the attention they are getting. Do you hear the words? The learned wise men in this fallen world tell us "Don’t get mad…get even." Don’t know if this would have been something said in Paul’s time but this type of thinking makes it sound like we are totally in control of a painful situation.
The attached photo is a glimpse at evil. The building within the corrugated metal fence on the left side of road between Cap Haitian and Ouanaminthe has many colored flags. Each flag represents a powerful evil spirit that the local vodou priest has at their bidding. To the Christians living in Haiti this is the competition that is far more dangerous than the economic hardships, gangs and living conditions that challenge the inhabitant each day.
The vodou priest will call upon evil spirits sent from satan to bring problems and illnesses to rain down on innocent lives. Vodou is the work of the devil and is not of our Triune God. Prayerfully, there are over 62,000 children being fed by a Trinity HOPE feeding program every day they are in school learning more about the Triune God and the power of the Holy Spirit that will drive evil spirits away and will be returning to school this week.
These children are placing their trust in Jesus as He has defeated satan and His truth covers the lies of the vodou priest. Thank you for helping to prepare these young missionaries living in Haiti as they take the Gospel message to those still living in fear of the neighborhood vodou temple. In 1874, Frances R. Havergal wrote the words for ‘I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus’ and the last two verses are a wonderful way to close this devotion.
“I am trusting Thee for power; Thine can never fail. Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me must prevail. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; never let me fall. I am trusting Thee forever and for all.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay