THOSE WHO DO EVIL HAVE NOT SEEN GOD: A Devotion on Child Abuse

February 9, 2009

THOSE WHO DO EVIL HAVE NOT SEEN GOD: A Devotion on Child Abuse

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

THOSE WHO DO EVIL HAVE NOT SEEN GOD

God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

     SCRIPTURE: III John 11 states: “Anyone who does good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” For “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (I Corinthians 14)
     DEVOTION: Child abuse results in destruction and confusion for its victims, who often state a belief in God but share confusion over His presence and love in their personal lives.
     Adult survivors question: If God is good and all-powerful, then where was He when I was being hurt? Children question likewise, but also wonder: If I make my parents, who I love, treat me this way—or do not love me—how can God do so? And, if my parent, who are “real” and are with me, who I need to take care of me, don’t do so, how can God do so?
     Blame for inhumane treatment lies with man’s acceptance of Satan’s lies, not with God. The choice between God’s love and Satan’s destruction rests with each individual. Unfortunately, innocent lives get hurt when a perpetrator receives Satan’s lies, rejects God, and sins. Unfortunately, the child becomes confused, and the message is perceived that he is unworthy. The child receives the “punishment” whether he is good or bad. This same child cannot compute that the problem lies within the adult, and accepts that he is the cause of the problem. He just cannot make sense of life.
     PRAYER: Lord, help the abusive parent recognize that the evil is of Satan, and must be rejected in order to make room for the good from God. Clear up the confusion in the adults, in order to break the chain of abuse and help the children accept your love.

ADDITIONAL READING: