These are dark days for our nation and world. I’m sure there have been darker times but I live in this one. Jesus alludes to such days when he says that in the world we will have tribulation (John 16), that leaders will do terrible things, thinking they are doing good for the world.

Federal workers are being fired haphazardly. Compassion for marginalized people is sorely lacking in a nation known for caring for those here and overseas who are in need, and who lack food, water, and proper medical care. People are being sent back to hotbeds of violence and murder. I have a close friend in one of those countries who is afraid for her life each day, now with no hope of leaving her country. Authoritarian world leaders (including our own) believe themselves to be the Caesars of a new world order. 

Jesus knew this would happen. In John 16:33 he tells his disciples that they will experience stress, affliction, and persecution. But he goes on to say that he is now in the process of claiming God’s victory over the world. He goes so far as to tell us that it’s already been accomplished on the cross. It’s the D-Day scenario in the spiritual world. 

The Greek word for victory in this passage is NIKE. Nike was the god of speed, strength, and victory in ancient mythology.

Remember that Jesus says we WILL have tribulation; we are going through it, not around it. We are pushing ahead on behalf of those who cannot push for themselves, and we are speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. We strive against whatever evil raises its ugly head,d remembering that there are spiritual forces behind the flesh and blood leaders. And we must pray against hatred, war, greed, hurt, and divisiveness. Those are the schemes of Satan. 

Even as I write this people are putting on their NIKES to defend the vulnerable in our world. I have worked with those organizations, like Church World Service, and I know the good they do; how at each turn they are helping people in the world who so want to do for themselves and need help, not denigration and unkindness. At the same time, the leaders of our nation are calling good things, like helping the poor and hungry), evil. The prophet Isaiah spoke about this: ‘Woe to those who call good evil and evil good’ (Isaiah 5:20). No, this will not stand in the judgment of our God.

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The Apostle Paul made it clear that there is only ONE LORD over this creation and his name is Jesus the Christ and he calls us to be servants, not tyrants. The natural inclination of some leaders, backed by the principalities of darkness, is earthly greed for power. We fail if we are silent. The Christian church and people like you and me need to be a witnesses against evil, pressing on to the higher way of helping those in need when the nation fails at that task. 

Now, Jesus and Paul didn’t expect the Caesars of the world or the Roman government to help the people. We the people are asked to do this in Jesus’ name. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” Proverbs 31:8-9. “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Be just and compassionate to each other. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not harbor evil in your hearts against your neighbor’” Zechariah 7:8-10.

We are called to a life of faith, hope, and service with Jesus in the here and now. He said when we do something good for the most needful in the world, we are doing that very thing for him. All people are made in God’s image. They should not be ignored, thrown away, treated unjustly or disparaged.