“The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.” (Proverbs 15:9, NLT)
A few months ago, I had a conversation with a person who is not a believer in God. He and I agreed about various issues and points of view, but we differed greatly in our beliefs about the human condition. I believe that people who are left to their own discretion will inevitably sin. They will do evil to one another. He, on the other hand, believes that people are inherently good and that there are no “sins”. We could not come to an agreement on even this basic point: he believed people are good-hearted and by nature help one another, and I believe that people are sinful in nature and without God will sin against one another. I found it quite odd that this man, who believes whole-heartedly in Darwin and evolution could not see that under Darwin’s theory, people will struggle and fight to win at natural selection. One has only to look at what happened in New Orleans during and immediately after Hurricane Katrina. Looting was common. When the power went out, people attempted to rob banks and stores, knowing the security systems were down. SWAT units were brought in from other states to keep the peace. One SWAT officer and former soldier stated publicly that he “would not walk down many of those New Orleans streets unarmed.” Food was stolen, people were threatened, and lives were lost. Yes, there were many instances of rescue, grace, love, and faith; but many places were not safe once the police presence disappeared.
When Chicago police officers cut back on their foot patrols in some of the inner-city areas in 2010 through 2016, violence increased. When officers in Ferguson, Missouri left an area to work riot control, twelve buildings were burned down in their absence. In parts of Mexico where narcotics trafficking is openly performed, rape and violence is common. In Northeast Nigeria where the government has little control, Boko Haram extremists routinely kidnap young girls and violate them. This is after they murder the families of these young girls in front of them. In the seas off places like Yemen and Honduras, pirates have murdered people while stealing their boats or ships. Some were held for ransom!
I am not saying that there aren’t good people in the world. What I believe is that when people live in opposition to God, they can be capable of any demeaning and self-destructive act. Those with the most power will use that power to abuse others, increase suffering, and control necessities for gain. Even people who call themselves Christian are capable of evil, like the priests found guilty of sexual assault or pastors who stole money from their congregations. Many people who are given the chance to sin will often do it if nobody is watching or they think they can get by with it. However, our scripture for today is clear that God IS watching. Judgment is coming.
In Proverbs 15:9, we see two types of people watched by God. The Lord is watching evil people who pursue wickedness. This scripture makes clear that the Lord “detests the way of the wicked.” God abhors what evil the wicked propagate. However, God also watches over those who “pursue godliness”. They live holy lives of righteousness and respect God’s commands. These God “loves”.
While visiting with friends in Kentucky, I met a woman who was abused as a child. She shared her stories with me, knowing I was a pastor and counselor. You could still see some of the haunting looks in her eyes as she spoke. Tears streamed down her face. Despite the passage of years, the hurt was still deep. She told me that it helped to talk about it with friends and professionals. But, since I was a pastor, she asked me a question that bothered her for years, “Where was God when all this was happening?”
I told her what I know. God detests what was done to her. God hates the evil that turned her world upside down. Judgment Day is coming for the man who abused her so fiendishly. God will make sure he pays. We can’t stop people from choosing evil. However, while some will turn away from the terrible things done in this world, God will not. God will cause the wicked to suffer. God will attack the evil that was done. God will show love to the hurting. Even as the high and mighty revel in their evil acts, God is already planning their eventual recompense. Their days are numbered.
The scripture for today ends with God showing love to those who “pursue godliness”. Never forget that godliness is always something that you strive after. It takes work. It is not easy. Godliness will require that abused woman from Kentucky to let go of any hate for her abuser. Godliness will demand that you forgive those who do you wrong. Godliness is a difficult thing that necessitates difficult choices. Even when you are wronged, God expects you to make things right, not to seek vengeance or return “evil for evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Godliness is not easy, but God’s response to it is priceless. By rejecting wickedness, God shows justice. When you pursue godliness, especially in the face of wickedness, God responds with love. You will feel HIS love breaking through.
When Chicago police officers cut back on their foot patrols in some of the inner-city areas in 2010 through 2016, violence increased. When officers in Ferguson, Missouri left an area to work riot control, twelve buildings were burned down in their absence. In parts of Mexico where narcotics trafficking is openly performed, rape and violence is common. In Northeast Nigeria where the government has little control, Boko Haram extremists routinely kidnap young girls and violate them. This is after they murder the families of these young girls in front of them. In the seas off places like Yemen and Honduras, pirates have murdered people while stealing their boats or ships. Some were held for ransom!
I am not saying that there aren’t good people in the world. What I believe is that when people live in opposition to God, they can be capable of any demeaning and self-destructive act. Those with the most power will use that power to abuse others, increase suffering, and control necessities for gain. Even people who call themselves Christian are capable of evil, like the priests found guilty of sexual assault or pastors who stole money from their congregations. Many people who are given the chance to sin will often do it if nobody is watching or they think they can get by with it. However, our scripture for today is clear that God IS watching. Judgment is coming.
In Proverbs 15:9, we see two types of people watched by God. The Lord is watching evil people who pursue wickedness. This scripture makes clear that the Lord “detests the way of the wicked.” God abhors what evil the wicked propagate. However, God also watches over those who “pursue godliness”. They live holy lives of righteousness and respect God’s commands. These God “loves”.
While visiting with friends in Kentucky, I met a woman who was abused as a child. She shared her stories with me, knowing I was a pastor and counselor. You could still see some of the haunting looks in her eyes as she spoke. Tears streamed down her face. Despite the passage of years, the hurt was still deep. She told me that it helped to talk about it with friends and professionals. But, since I was a pastor, she asked me a question that bothered her for years, “Where was God when all this was happening?”
I told her what I know. God detests what was done to her. God hates the evil that turned her world upside down. Judgment Day is coming for the man who abused her so fiendishly. God will make sure he pays. We can’t stop people from choosing evil. However, while some will turn away from the terrible things done in this world, God will not. God will cause the wicked to suffer. God will attack the evil that was done. God will show love to the hurting. Even as the high and mighty revel in their evil acts, God is already planning their eventual recompense. Their days are numbered.
The scripture for today ends with God showing love to those who “pursue godliness”. Never forget that godliness is always something that you strive after. It takes work. It is not easy. Godliness will require that abused woman from Kentucky to let go of any hate for her abuser. Godliness will demand that you forgive those who do you wrong. Godliness is a difficult thing that necessitates difficult choices. Even when you are wronged, God expects you to make things right, not to seek vengeance or return “evil for evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Godliness is not easy, but God’s response to it is priceless. By rejecting wickedness, God shows justice. When you pursue godliness, especially in the face of wickedness, God responds with love. You will feel HIS love breaking through.