Scripture to Read: Psalm 139:19–22
God led David to shift focus in Psalm 139:19–22 as God led David to describe God’s enemies. God allowed David to share how he wanted God to destroy the wicked and that David wanted all murderers out of his life. Then, God led David to ask these questions in Psalm 139:21, “Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?” We know that our Lord has commanded us to love our enemies. For our Lord says in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” but notice Jesus said we’re to love our enemies, but He did not say to love God’s enemies. Many people will hate us because of Christ in us, but they are not beyond repentance. God’s love through us can transform their lives from hatred to love. We must love as God loves and realize our hatred should be for our true enemies, the spiritual forces of wickedness. Remember that God even tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” So, our hatred should be directed at God’s enemies, as described in Ephesians 6:12. Now, people can become God’s enemies, but we must trust our Lord to lead us to hate as He hates and to love as He loves.
Challenge & Application
· What did God teach you today about love and hate?
· How are you guarding against an ungodly hatred, and how are you loving those you’ve been commanded to love?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!