Reading: Luke 19, Psalm 37:19-20

And in the days of famine, they shall be satisfied.

But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the LORD, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

One of the characteristics of an adult mindset is the ability to hold truths in tension.

In so many instances of life two different things can be going on at the same time. This is particularly true when we look honestly at the conflict between the works of God and the works of the Devil in this present world.

There are times when evil feels like a growing malignant force - unstoppable, unquenchable, and spreading through the earth unchecked. The prevalence of wars, natural disasters, corrupt leaders, godless government, violence and rampant immorality in our culture can feel overwhelming. At other times we see the Lord working to save, heal, provide, deliver, and push back the darkness.

When His people are on task to preach and live the Gospel, light comes into the world and evil is pushed back into the shadows. When the church gets complacent and distracted by pursuing things like secular influence, political power, worldly recognition and materialism, our light is dimmed and evil rushes forward. Until the return of our King, these two realities will be present with us in the world; good and evil, light and darkness, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

Thankfully the scripture also tells us that the ultimate end of evil is near. Evil will not prevail. God has not given up on this planet and He will not forsake His people. Unlike the Kingdom of God and its influence, the forces of darkness are destined to fade away.

In Luke 19 Jesus told the parable of the ten minas. In this story a nobleman (representing Jesus) leaves on a journey to a far country, to receive a kingdom for himself, and then to return and reign (v.12). He calls 10 of his servants, gives them each 3 month’s salary, and the instructions: “Do business until I come back.”(v.13). As soon as the nobleman departs, the future subjects of his kingdom stage a coup. They reject both the nobleman and his promised kingdom. During the rebellion nine of the ten servants worked loyally to expand the business they had been given to oversee. It's important to note here that two things were happening at the same time; a rebellion against the king’s son and an expansion of kingdom business.

After a time, the nobleman returns - now as rightful King. First he gathers his faithful servants and rewards them according to their faithfulness to grow his business during the dark days of the rebellion. The only one who was rebuked was the servant who did nothing with the investment given him. He hid away his seed capital, too fearful to use it in an uncertain landscape.

It seems this servant was so fearful over the events going on around him he chose to play it safe and hide the investment. Turns out this fear of loss due to the presence of evil kept the servant from fully engaging the opportunities he was given. He couldn’t take his eyes off the evil around him paralyzed his faith and rendered him unfruitful. Naturally, the enemies of the new King were rounded up and executed for their disloyalty. But the unfaithful servant got to live in the promised kingdom, but without any reward or authority.

This story was designed to teach the Apostles about the age we live in right now - this time between the ascension of Jesus and His future return as King over the earth. Even though the world is in rebellion while our King is away, there remains a work of resistance and expansion that we are assigned to perform until His return. Though it may look like evil is prevailing from time to time, these things are not as they appear. This short-term rebellion is ill-fated and will soon be crushed.

Jesus is about to return. Satan’s time is short. Victory over the enemy is promised to us now in Christ Jesus. The bible declares, “And the God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet.” (Rom 16:20). Notice that it is our feet that must do the crushing. It is not the kingdom of darkness that is prevailing - no matter how it appears at the moment. Paul said that “the wisdom of this age and the rulers of this age…are coming to nothing.” (1Co 2:6).

We have been given the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, the Word of Jesus, and the Spirit of Jesus so we might endure and overcome. The sickness can’t stay in your body. The financial need cannot go indefinitely without being met. The crushing struggle with depression must end. The sin in your life must bow its knee to the power of His Grace in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ our King!

Begin to lift your hands and praise and give thanks to God for your victory. Renounce the lies of the enemy you have believed. Rebuke the devil and declare boldly that he will not prevail in his assaults against your life.
In your journal write a list of reasons that evil cannot prevail over you in your life. Use the promises of scripture, your testimony of past breakthroughs, and the things the Lord has spoken to your heart.
When you are done, confidently praise the Lord for each of the things you have written. In the areas of your life where you have been fighting for victory, boldly declare that Satan’s power is fading and will soon vanish away!

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