4 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
Judges 7:1–8:17
Luke 23:13-43
Psalms 97:1–98:9
Proverbs 14:7-8
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 97:10 (NLT): “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
In the community where I lived a couple of years ago, there were yard signs in front of quite a few homes. The following words appeared on those signs: “There’s no place for hate in Murray.”
Regarding the circumstances that brought about the need for those signs, I wholeheartedly agreed! Those signs were a response to an attempt by a white supremacist group to infiltrate our community with their hatred. The people of Murray, Kentucky, simply wouldn’t tolerate it.
But, if we were to think deeply about the matter of hatred, we would realize that if we are truly compassionate people, there MUST be some things we hate.
We hate murder.
We hate rape.
We hate slavery.
We hate child molestation.
In other words, we are justified to hate what unjustly brings harm to humanity or any of God’s creatures and creation.
And it is in that vein of thought that we understand our verse for today…
Psalm 97:10 (NLT): “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.” (emphasis mine)
We are told (commanded!) to hate evil. Why? Because it robs the God that we love of glory, AND it is a destructive cancer that works to destroy God’s creation (particularly humanity).
So, we should not only hate evil; we MUST hate evil if we genuinely care about our God and those around us.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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