You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. – Psalm 45:7
Are there absolutes? Is right always right, and wrong always wrong? Or are such things subjective? Are there shades of grey? By what scale should such things be measured? These questions arise as people consider things such as charity, the sanctity of life, gender identity, definitions of marriage, law and order, and the death penalty.
The word of God shows that issues of morality do not change based on opinions or feelings. Personal perspectives do not change the authority of God and His standards set out in Scripture. Psalm 33:5 says, “The Lord loves justice and righteousness.” David states in Psalm 86:15, that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.“ Conversely, as Proverbs 6:16-19 lists, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”He calls His children to reflect His character, to love what He loves and hate the things He hates.
If you are confused or conflicted, turn to Scripture, pray for wisdom and clarity from the Lord, and seek out knowledgeable Bible scholars. Paul writes in Romans 3:23-24, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.“ Pray for public officials in government and in federal courts to have the courage to uphold justice and righteousness and reflect God’s character.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 45:7
you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Isaiah 5:11-12, 18-23
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
that they may run after strong drink,
who tarry late into the evening
as wine inflames them!
12 They have lyre and harp,
tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,
but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord,
or see the work of his hands.
18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
19 who say: “Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of his right!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
