LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Wednesday 3rd November 2021
GOD HATES SIN
Scripture Reading: Psalm 5
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. Psalm 5:4-5
David’s opening words indicated his own preparations for entering the presence of God. Now, he tells us about the nature of the persons who cannot enter God’s presence. God’s hatred of all forms of evil and wickedness is such that persons who live by those norms cannot expect to enter His presence.
God is not neutral about sin; He takes a strong stance against all evil acts and does not excuse them because of His mercy and kindness. Therefore, those who live in sin cannot have fellowship with Him. It is reasonable to find out what God does not like and depart from them if we wish to be accepted by Him.
The Psalmist clearly tells us four things that God does not like.
• God does not take pleasure in wickedness. Our Lord does not enjoy seeing people do wicked things to others. He rebukes those who harm and seek to destroy others.
• God does not dwell with evil. Our Lord will not give protection and covering to evil. We cannot do evil and expect the Lord to cover it. He will expose evil. He shows no favouritism to any person.
• God does not live with the boastful. Our Lord will not listen to us when we come before Him in arrogance. He resists the proud. He shuts them out from His courts.
• God hates all workers of iniquity. This includes all manner of sins that are not directly mentioned in the verse. It constitutes all evil.
This truth overturns our world’s notion that God is so full of love and therefore incapable of hatred! God’s holiness demands that He punish all liars and abhor all murderers and deceivers. It is in our best interest to steer clear of these traits and those who practice them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep me away from evil. Purge my heart from pride and deception; cleanse me and make me whole. In Jesus’ name, Amen.