ODB: Bedlam
July 20, 2011
A despairing world needs caring Christians.
READ: Romans 12:9-21
Those who leave the paths of uprightness . . . rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked. —Proverbs 2:13-14
England’s Imperial War Museum is housed in a building in London that was a former location of the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a care center for the mentally ill. The hospital was commonly known as “Bedlam,” which gradually became a term used to describe scenes of chaos and madness.
It’s ironic that the War Museum would occupy Bedlam’s former location. As you walk through the museum, in addition to stories of heroism and sacrifice in wartime, you also find bone-chilling accounts of the madness of man’s inhumanity to man. From the exhibits about modern genocide and ethnic cleansing to the one on the Holocaust, it is evil on display.
Solomon observed mankind’s propensity for evil, describing it as those who “rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked” (Prov. 2:14). While this may describe much of the world around us, followers of Jesus have a refreshingly different way to handle life. Paul challenged us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). Christ-centered actions such as living morally (v.17), making peace (v.18), and treating our enemies with care (v.20) will affect the world for good.
If each of us were to live as a reflection of God’s love, perhaps there would be a lot less bedlam.
— Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: one big family
October 17, 2011 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers (v.1). READ: 1 Timothy 5:1-16 Malcolm is a 9-year-old boy who lives in a single- parent home. John is 80 and recently widowed. [...]
ODJ: the peace of the city
September 19, 2009 Work for the peace and prosperity of the city (v.7). READ: Jeremiah 29:4-9 We love our city. When we moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, we truly desired to be here, to live here, for our story to intertwine with our city’s story. We felt a new call: For our welfare to be connected with [...]
water for the people
June 9, 2009 I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink (v.35). READ: Matthew 25:31-46 Shortly after moving to Uganda, I opened my home to two AIDS orphans. The other night I took the youngsters out for dinner. On the way home I aimed the car lights on a rock quarry and said, “There are [...]
ODJ: jonathan’s example
May 2, 2011 Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (v.17). READ: 1 Samuel 20 When Matt Damon hit it big in Hollywood, he bought two Jeep Grand Cherokees—one for him, and one for his best buddy, Ben Affleck. In an interview with People magazine, he said, “That was our dream car. We flipped a coin [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
Let’s continue to maintain this sharp distinction, our love for our Lord and the people verses the madness of this world. Definitely, our light glows brighter in the dark. Let’s keep up our good works.