Overcome Evil With Good

The Lord advises us in His holy Word, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." In a sense this is what the Lord led Moses and Aaron to do. They confronted a demonic despot with the goodness of God.

Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh, ‘Let my people go."

The Pharaoh replied, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go. Why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!”

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your Name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all.” [2]

At first, confrontation with the king of slaves yielded setbacks for God’s people, but eventually, as they continued to believe God and continued to confess Him before Pharaoh, the Lord did signs and wonders until he let them go. Moses and Aaron did not overcome the Pharaoh in their own strength. They were elderly. Their work was to trust the Lord. The Lord gave the victory.

The Holy Spirit inspired King Solomon to write, “Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” [3]

The Holy Spirit inspired King David to write, “If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” [4]

Jesus Christ, the crucified one, experienced evil from the hands of evildoers, but overcame their evil deeds by resurrecting from the dead, and by making His victory ours.

Two Mary(s) at the tomb.
A violent earthquake,
An angel rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance like lightning,
His clothes were white as snow.
Guards shake with fear and become as dead men.

The angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid,
For I know that you are looking for Jesus,
Who was crucified.
He is not here;
He has risen, just as He said.

Come and see the place where He lay.
Then go quickly and tell His disciples:
‘He has risen from the dead.
He is going ahead of you into Galilee.
There you will see Him.’
Now I have told you.”

The women hurried away from the tomb,
Afraid yet filled with joy,
They ran to tell His disciples.

Jesus said to His disciples,
“All heavenly and earthly authority…
Has been given to Me.
Therefore, GO…
Make disciples of all nations,
Baptizing them in the name of…
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Teaching to obey everything…
I have commanded you.
Surely, I am with you always,
To the very end of the age.” [5]

"Thank You Jesus for staying with us until end!"

Victories come as we go forth in confidence of our Lord's blessing on our labors. “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” [6]

[1] Romans 12:1
[2] Exodus 5:1-4, 22-23
[3] Proverbs 28:5, 8, 14
[4] Psalm 124:2-3, 6-8
[5] Based on Matthew 28:1-8, 19-20
[6] Psalm 126:5-6