praying effectively: Hate Evil (Ps.97)

(Psalm 97:1-12)

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about.
4 His lightnings lit up the world; the earth saw and trembled.
5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory.

7 Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods.
8 Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9 For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we hate evil (97:10)
- that we are glad in the Lord (97:12)
- that we give thanks to His holy name (97:12)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that we can be glad in You, because You are good.  Thank You that You are holy and just, and will ultimately sort it all out in the end with righteous judgment.  Help us to hate what You hate and love what You love.  Amen.