God Hates Wickedness

Devotion for Friday March 2, 2018

Topic: God Hates Wickedness

Text: Psalm 45:6 – 9                      

God hates wickedness and He punishes anyone who practices it. The bible has the stories of how God vexed His anger on people who perpetuated wickedness. The Psalmist didn’t restrain his adoration of Almighty God, expressing what His Kingdom and throne are made of. Scepter means royal authority or staff used as royal emblem. The emblem of our God is justice and righteousness. This is because it is His nature as He is just and righteous. For this reason, He hates wickedness (See Psalm 5:5; 33:5). There are some people who desire to practice wickedness. They love it so much that if they have not made trouble with people, they will not be happy. Wickedness comes in form of oppression, abuse of all kinds, willfully committing sin, luring people into evil, telling lies, betrayal and many others. Christians should not practice or tolerate wickedness. Psalm 97:10 admonishes us to hate wickedness as our God does. People who have no love find it easier to practice wickedness (See 1 John 2:11; 3:15). Are you nursing any form of hatred for someone? Better repent of it now before devil will lead you into wicked act. Learn to love people unconditionally because that is the best way to overcome wickedness.

Sing SS&S 587; Abu 205

Food for Thought: When you love people unconditionally, it will be easier to overlook their faults and shortcomings.

Memory verse: Psalm 45:7  

Prayer:  God, make me a lover of righteousness and a hater of wickedness as you do in Jesus name. Amen.

PATROLLING THE EARTH: Devotion for Wednesday September 14, 2016

PATROLLING THE EARTH: Devotion for Wednesday September 14, 2016

Text: Job 1:6 – 7               Memory verse: Job 1: 7

Originally, Satan was an angel of God who became corrupt through his own greed and pride. He wanted the position of his creator and that prompted him to rebel against God. Unfortunately for him and his supporters, they were defeated and chased out of heaven. He was casted out of heaven into the earth and bible says that the heavens should rejoice while woe is for the inhabitants of the earth because Satan has been cast down into the earth (Rev. 12:12).

One would wonder why such thing should be said. But the fact is that Satan is accuser and tormenter of those who obey and worship God. He moves about, roaring like a lion, looking for whom to devour. He wants to gain more followers. He has been evil since his rebellion against God (1 John 3:8). Satan considers God as his enemy and tries to hinder God’s work in people, but he is limited by God’s power, and can only do what he is permitted (Lk. 22:31, 32; 1 Tim 1:19, 20; 2 Tim. 2:23–26).

Satan is called the enemy because he actively and constantly looks for people to attack through temptation (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Again, because he had lost out in heaven, he wants to make people hate God by discrediting Him. He does this through lies and deception (Gen. 3:1-6). It is for this reason; he patrols the earth looking for people who are vulnerable. Job, a blameless and upright man who had been greatly blessed, was a perfect target for Satan. Thus God questioned Satan about Job and of course he had an answer.

There were other heavenly councils held outside this one mentioned in the book of Job. In such council, God and the angels plan their activities on earth and some times, the angels were required to give account of themselves (1 Kings 22:19-23). God as the Creator of all angels, both of those who serve Him and of those who rebelled, has complete power and authority over them. He can overrule their actions. Any person who is committed to God should expect Satan’s attacks. If he can rebel against God and tempt Him, who are we that He cannot attack? He hates God and also hates Christians. Job 1:7 describes the nature of Satan, which is always seeking his prey. Therefore we should apply the wisdom Peter shared with us in 1 Peter 5:8.

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 5:8

Prayer: Lord, make me sober and vigilant because my adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking those to devour me.   

GOD HATES WICKEDNESS: Devotion for Thursday January 28, 2016

GOD HATES WICKEDNESS       Thursday January 28, 2016

Text: Psalm 45:6 – 9          Memory verse: v 7

God hates anything wickedness and He vexes His anger on anyone who practices wickedness. The bible has the stories of how God vexed His anger on people who perpetuated wickedness. The Psalmist reveals what the throne of God is. He didn’t restrain his adoration of Almighty God expressing what His Kingdom is made of. Scepter means royal authority or staff used as royal emblem. The emblem of our God is justice and righteousness. Because it is His nature being just and righteous, He hates wickedness (Ps 5:5; 33:5).   

There are some people who love to practice wickedness. They love it so much that if they have not made trouble with people, they are will not be happy. Wickedness comes in form of oppression, abuse of all kinds, willful sins, luring people into evil, telling lies, betrayal, etc. Christians should not practice or tolerate wickedness. For this reason Ps 97:10 admonishes us that we should hate wickedness as our God does. People who have no love find it easier to practice wickedness (1 Jn. 2:11; 3:15), Are you nursing any form of hatred for someone? Better repent of it now before devil will lead you into wicked act.

Action: If there is anyone who has offended you, make peace with the person today before devil will lead you into wicked act.  

Prayer:  God, make me love righteousness and hate wickedness as you do in Jesus name.

WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU: Devotion for Tuesday December 15, 2015

WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU   Tuesday December 15, 2015

Text: John 15:18 – 25     Memory verse: v 19

When we, Christians are hated by the world as our Master was, it should not cause us to fear, and rather it should strengthen and encourage us. Here Christ spoke concerning hatred, which is the character of the devil's kingdom, as love is of the kingdom of Christ. The world will hate us because we are not of the world (15:19) and our words, tempers, actions, are quite opposite to theirs. There is no resemblance. The world will love their own and hate what does not belong to them.

Does it baffle you when you see the world turning against you? It shouldn’t baffle you because you are light and they represent darkness that hates light. They hate Christians because their presence reproves their deeds. Do you weep over neglect and abuse you suffer in your neighbourhood, school, office, market, etc? Cheer up! They did it to Jesus; ours will not be an exception. However, know that God will always fight for His own people.

Food for Thought: Knowledge of our status as foreigners here on earth helps us to live well among those who hate us in this world  

Prayer: God, let not the hatred of the world against me weaken my spirit.