I woke up this morning in Laos to the news that Charlie Kirk was martyred on a college campus in Utah. Such devastating news is rocking our world. Lines are being drawn.

As I devoured the news updates on my X feed, I couldn’t help but see Evil on open display—not only the terrible shot that took this young man’s life, but also the celebration of his death from Leftists. The dancing and singing from Woke teens. The justification from MSNBC. The defiance in Congress. It was sickening, and it was revealing.

No matter the politics, no matter the nation—our world is steeped in Evil, because Satan, the god of this world, is bruised but not yet chained. His demons are still on the loose. His mark is everywhere. We saw it on the train in Charlotte, NC, and we saw now in Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

We get that term “god of this world” from Paul in 2Cor 4:4. It’s in no way a declaration of deity but a recognition of the power Satan has had over the unbelieving world, since the Garden of Eden until now. Read the phrase in its context:

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (ESV)

Spiritual darkness is real—and while it has an expiration date, it’s nothing new. In fact, as I was struggling to gather my sad, reeling thoughts this morning, I found comfort in reading (and rereading) the incredible heart-cry that is Psalm 5.

Following a plea for God to hear his prayer, to consider his groaning and his cry for help (1-3), David prays God’s perspective on the Evil of his day:

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. No evil dwells with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. 6 You destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit… 9 There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave: they flatter with their tongue. 10 Hold them guilty, O God; by their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, for they are rebellious against you.

With this divine perspective on Evil, David also takes comfort in knowing the God of that perspective. God sees this Evil that we detest too, but He also sees those who stand against it:

7 But as for me, by your abundant lovingkindness I will enter your house, at your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. 8 O LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of my foes; make your way straight before me… 11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love your name may exalt in You. 12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.

• God’s lovingkindness makes it possible for sinners like us to worship Him.
• His righteousness leads us through this wicked world.
• His protection gives us cause to sing in joyful praise.
• He blesses and protects the righteous—and sometimes, He takes them home and gives them a martyr’s crown.

It’s a sad, sad day in America. I’m not yet ready to sing in joyful praise. But I do rest in God’s lovingkindness, and I will never stop worshipping Him.

We live in a dark, evil world corrupted by sin and ruled by a false god; but take heart, Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33)! The only reason He waits so patiently to return is that He still longs that everyone everywhere would come to repentance (2Peter 3:9).

Pray with me that because of this tragedy, many lost souls will come to repentance. And as they do, pray as well: “Even so come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20)

©2025 E.T.