Devotional for Friday, December 22, 2017
“Let Those That Love the Lord…”
by Dona Hake
Many times we hear the word ~hate~ used very loosely. One may proclaim that they hate a certain vegetable, another may proclaim they hate the snow (especially this time of the year). Then there are sadly those that claim how they hate a person in their life. Many times bad experiences can cause someone to detest something so badly that hate seems to fit they’re feeling perfectly against a particular person or thing.
We know and proclaim that our God is loving, yet in the book of Proverbs it lists what He hates.Let us look at the book of Proverbs…
“Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors: Eyes that look down on others, a tongue that can’t be trusted, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that conceives evil plans, feet that sprint toward evil, A false witness who breathes out lies, and anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful.”
Proverbs 6:16-19. (THE VOICE)
Proverbs 6:16-19. (THE VOICE)
There is a particular thread here to what He hates, and that is every one of these sins can be harmful to us, our walk with Him, and our relationships. These things that are listed can destroy a person’s life. The seventh sin is noted as a detestable sin because God hates discord amongst His people. Any one of these sins have the power to devastate a person’s life, and bring everything to a standstill. These sins grieve the Holy Spirit, and we must see them as detestable as our Lord does.
The Psalmist said, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.“ Psalm 97:10 If we truly love our God, and we truly know our God, then we must hate what He hates. The conviction to hate what God hates could easily bring us to a place where we will be forced to stand in the face of being criticized because we refuse to walk in compromise. May we stand with a strong heart. May we boldly refuse to move from our conviction to hate what our Lord hates.I encourage you today to embrace His wonderful love yet make a decision to hate what he hates all the days of your life.