Hatred for Love

Read Psalm 109

Read Joshua 18

In Psalm 109, David cries out to God for salvation and vindication. He is surrounded by traitors, false witnesses, liars, and those who seek his downfall. In this psalm, David is very much alone, being taken advantage of by evil men, with no human help available. Only God can save. To God, David cries.

This psalm is very much a Messianic psalm, where David (prophesying in the Spirit) prays and communicates the very situation of the coming Christ. He is the Righteous One who would be slandered, falsely accused, hanged on a cross to die. Judas' fellow disciples would later apply verse 8 of this psalm to Judas, and then use this Scripture to justify appointing another apostle - an important point to make when interpreting the psalm. It's clear the NT recognizes this psalm as one that tells us about Christ.

This is a Savior who led a perfect life, yet was killed because he was hated by the world. For all his loving words and actions, they rewarded him with hate. For all the good he's done, they respond with evil. And "they" aren't the only ones. We too, by nature, were enemies of God. We were enemies of God. But this is a Savior who loves his enemies, died for them, and rescues them. We have so much to be thankful for! Though we did not desire salvation, salvation came anyway, unearned, undeserved, unexpected. What a Savior!

But now as his disciples we see the hate and the evil continue towards Christ and his Christians. We should expect it. Yes, we should be offended by it, but we should expect it. And we should not let the hate and the evil stop us from proclaiming the Good News. Why? Aren't those who hate Christ, speak evil of him, and revile him unworthy of him? Yes. But so were we. He gives himself to them anyway. And if that doesn't stop the love of Christ, it shouldn't stop our love either.

So, as we go out and live for God's glory, we should expect to hear awful things about Jesus and awful things about Christians. Let's go out boldly and prove them wrong. Let us go and show love, let us do what is right, let us live a blameless life, let us proclaim peace. We Christians have a special ability to interact in a meaningful way with those around us. That "special ability" is the Holy Spirit, given to us by our Savior. He helps us to love with his love, to speak his words, and to return good for the world's evil.

Ask Yourself:

Where do you see Christ hated?

Where do you see Christians reviled and hated?

How can you live for Christ even in the midst of ridicule and disdain?

Pray:

Pray from your heart today. Pray for the persecuted Christians that they would persevere in faith and witness. Pray for yourself that you might stand firm in the face of evil. Pray that God might use you to overcome evil with good.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!