‘O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives if his saints, he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.’    (Psalm 97:10-11. ESV)

If we refer to ourselves as, ‘being in relationship with God’, what would be significant about it, that we might want to share it with others?

The Psalmist gives us some examples:

If God’s people are to make a difference in this world, then they must perceive that there is a difference between good and evil and avoid the blurring of the lines as perpetuated by worldly influences. The believer must not only avoid evil in its many forms as it affects his life – but also take whatever action possible to work against it in the wider context of community and the world.

Those who take God’s purposes seriously in genuineness of faith will know his care and protection in their own lives. We are told that God fills the life of the believer with light and joy.

Can we witness to this difference in our life?

God has many names for the same group of people whose faith is genuine. You may have been called many things in your life – hear what God calls you and be blessed!

… those who love the lord (v.10)

… God’s saints (v.10)

… the righteous (v.11, 12)

… the upright in heart (v.11)

“…For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12. ESV)

 ^“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,

“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:36-38. ESV)

 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15-16 ESV)

… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, (Matt 6:13 ESV)

 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (3 John 11 ESV)