Psalm 97 (KJV): Ye that love the Lord, hate evil

From Psalms

Psalm 97

¹The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice;
      let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

²Clouds and darkness are round about him:
      righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
³A fire goeth before him,
      and burneth up his enemies round about.
⁴His lightnings enlightened the world:
      the earth saw, and trembled.
⁵The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD,
      at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
⁶The heavens declare his righteousness,
      and all the people see his glory.

⁷Confounded be all they that serve graven images,
      that boast themselves of idols:
      worship him, all ye gods.

⁸Zion heard, and was glad;
      and the daughters of Judah rejoiced
      because of thy judgments, O LORD.
⁹For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth:
      thou art exalted far above all gods.

¹⁰Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:
      he preserveth the souls of his saints;
      he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
¹¹Light is sown for the righteous,
      and gladness for the upright in heart.
¹²Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous;
      and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

A boy is invited to go see a movie with some friends that he knows in appropriate and has too much violence.  More than that he knows his mother and father would not permit him to go see the movie.  But more than anything he just wants to be with his friends.  So, when he asks about whether he can go to the movie, he has several choices:

a) He can tell his mom and dad that they are going to see a different, and appropriate, movie.  That way they'll let him go.
b) He can be honest with his mom and dad about the movie choice, and tell them he will step out of the theatre during the violent parts
c) Simply tell his friends that he's sorry, but he can't attend the party.

Psalm 97 verse 10 tells us the answer, or should I say, reinforces the obvious answer of c.  "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."  This is a simple story about a boy that is easy to work out.  However, everyday we have similar choices - and too often we choose the equivalent to (a) or (b) because it's what our friends are doing.  Or maybe we are not speaking out against evil.  We are silent in order not to make waves afraid that we may lose respect or friendship.

Whatever the case may be we must hate evil - for me that evil is the source of my addiction.  The evil that markets alcohol to minors creating misconceptions of the happiness and fun that alcohol brings.  The evil that de-humanizes women into sex objects creating a separation between love and sex.  For other addicts obviously there are other sources but the evil is there and needs to be addressed.  We need to start with addressing the evil exists in our lives.

Thanks for letting me share.