Evil can be a staggering force.

It makes no difference what you call it. Evil is and evil does.

There are three major sources of evil:

1. Satan and his generals, colonels, majors, captains and lieutenants, plus all who have enlisted in his cause.

2. Then there other people like you or me. Anyone can be evil. Doesn't take any special skill.

3. Finally, and by no means least, there is you and me. I can be as evil as anyone else. Sort of like choosing up sides and smelling armpits.

It is an interesting observation, perhaps even a compelling observation, that we Christians all have the need to blame Satan, or others for evil deeds. We rarely look inside ourselves, but that is where we find the most effecacious evil of all. How often do we say, that thought, or that intention, or that act -- was evil thought -- and it came from me? But since we've got to blame somebody, it might as well be Satan, or someone we know or recognize.

It is this source of evil that we have the most trouble. The Bible calls it, "the flesh."

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "the world, the flesh and the devil." It is the unholy trinity of what we are saying here. No, the phrase does not come from the Bible. It is the title of a 1959 Hollywood production, starring Harry Belafonte. But as we say, it encompasses the "unholy trinity."

Regarding ourselves: for some, it may serve as the survival instinct. As such, it may have a legitimate function, but it can also be, and often is, our worst enemy.

It is impressive, the lengths to which we will go to give comfort to ourselves. Our consumerism, our secular ethic, our need to entertain ourselves, our seeking out of palliatives to assuage discomfort; these things often spring from less than pristine motivations.

In a word, it is the evil within ourselves against which we most need to armor ourselves. We are, ourselves, individually, a force of evil.

There was a time in my life when I did seminars. A lot of them. The seminars were week-long affairs where I would speak no less than four times a day for 45-60 minutes per session. Hour-long small group sessions were conducted between the lectures. At the end of the day, I was tired. By the end of the week, I was exhausted.

One time, at the close of one of these days, I made the mistake of complaining of soreness in my lower back. Loving people responded by gathering around me, laying hands on me, praying and asking God to cast "the demon of the sore back" from my body.

It worked.

I went back to my lodging, enjoyed some refreshment, got a good night's rest, and behold, the next morning, the demon of the sore back was gone! Unfortunately, at the end of the next day's sessions, it had returned with a vengeance. This time, however, I managed not to complain. A very sensible part of the "armor of God," is eating right, exercising and getting enough rest. Still, even common sense has its vulnerabilities.

So, what did I take away from that little episode?

First, I learned to appreciate the love, care and concern others had for me. These were kind, good people who meant well. They wanted to help.

Second, I learned -- at least partially -- how to engage and manage evil. It forced me to find a place where I didn't have to protect myself from evil. A place of rest and renewal in solitude with my Savior.

Many years ago, I enjoyed jogging. Through the mountains, hills and valleys, and along the pebbled beaches of Catalina Island in California. Tore up my knees -- a painful annoyance for which I pay dearly, even today. Do you suppose this is what Paul meant when he said, "bodily exercise profits little?" I wonder if he liked to jog? Clearly, there are downsides to everything.

You can tear up your knees jogging, get an ear infection swimming, strain a muscle lifting, or sprain an ankle playing tennis, but I have never heard of anyone hurting themselves while seeking God's presence, or enjoying the warmth of his love.

There are those who do mean-spirited, brutal, evil things to others. Often, incredibly, it is done in the name of God. Jim Jones comes to mind, David Koresh, Osama bin Laden and those who disrupt the graveside services of fallen soldiers. Isn't it amazing how manic and fanatical human wickedness can become when one does it, ostensibly, in the name of God!?

You can certify yourself. Those who do such things have not sought God, and have no part with him. They are an embarrassment to God, and an embarrassment to his people. What they do is a massive contradiction to God's nature.

So, the psalmist speaks. He speaks of dwelling "in the secret place of the most High," and "abiding under the shadow of the Almighty." It is a place, if you can wrap your mind around this, where God "covers you with his feathers." It is a place -- a place "under his wings." Jesus employed this same imagery when he cried out to Jerusalem. The writer of Hebrews used it when he spoke of "entering God's rest."

Have you ever heard of a "laughing place?" No, I am not speaking of the local Comedy Club. Brer' rabbit says, "Ever'body's got a laughing place." The idea comes from Joel Chandler Harris's books about Uncle Remus and his characters, brer' rabbit, brer' fox, brer' bear, et.al. Brer' rabbit's laughing place is a place where he can be happy and safe, hence, his home in the briar-patch.

For believers, that place is intimacy with the God who created the universe. What a place is this! A place of complete security, and comfort, refuge and safety. A place defended by the wings of the Almighty! A place where his truth is our shield. A place of absolute trust and rest from attack. No demons of the sore-back there. No demons ar all. No Satan. No 'world.' No evil.

Just Jesus.

In such a place, what need is there of armor? His wings are my armor. In such a place, I need not fear even . . . myself.

-- PDM