So, I am going to try to keep this short this week, but there is so much to say regarding how God feels about the death of children at the hands of a stone-cold killer. As much as I dislike using the word hate (intense or passionate dislike for something or someone), there are things the Bible says God hates. When I see another school shooting where innocent children are gunned down in cold blood, I cannot help but to wonder when the wrath of God will be poured out on this unbelieving world. So thankful we have the book of Revelation to know God will make all things new and bring us His kingdom of everlasting peace and righteousness. I pray Jesus comes soon. Yet, in the meantime, my soul, as I am sure yours does, cries out for justice. Even though an active killer is killed by authorities, the lives lost cannot be restored. The destruction of family units and loss of life is absolute. As I grieve with our church family who lost a 10-year-old family member this past week in Texas, I ask you to join me in prayer for them as they travel to be with family.
In light of all this darkness, how do we process this stuff? Well, Solomon writes, “…these six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16–19) The Hebrew word hate can be understood as God being unwilling to put up with these types of behaviors. In other words, He has an intense or passionate dislike for them. It is also straight forward and clear.
God eliminates the possibility of misunderstanding. There are things God hates and one is those who shed innocent blood. Is this the action of shedding innocent blood or the hatred of the person committing this detestable act? In our context here, this is not “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” God is at enmity with (fighting against) all those who take the life of the innocent or blameless person. Yet evil seems to go on and on, right? We shake our fist at heaven and ask, “Where are you, God, in all this?” or “Why did You allow this to happen, Lord?” and “If You is real, then You would have stopped it?”
Yet, in the scriptures, the question is not, why? But, how long until You bring Your justice and restoration? The Psalmist writes, “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1–2) John also writes in Revelation, “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9–10) My heart cries out for justice and often sees none. However, when I beseech the God of heaven, He comforts me. I still weep. I still mourn. I still ask, How long, O LORD? In the meantime, I focus on God, my redeemer and the redeemer of all creation of help and hope, and His peace soothes my soul. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7) Keep your eyes on Jesus and remember that God hates what happened too. He is the final word on the Judgment of the unrighteous persons.