Hate Without Reason | When the world despises you (Psalm 38-44)
The sneer on her face matched the narrowing of her eyes. All I did was say “Hi!” Then again, it was enough to set off her micro facial ticks. She knew she didn’t have to hide it to me, but for those around she kept her hatred of me in check. Why? The best I could figure out was because I was happy. She had hate without reason and it was uncomfortable to be around her. Even worse, is when the world hates without reason because they want to see you fail.
While some can admit the reason, others refuse to acknowledge the root of their hatred lies in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Hate with reason…
Unfortunately, the world will hate Christians. Walking this journey does have consequences on earth, and some are that we are hated for our namesake, Christ.
David was no stranger to this. At different times, he had the king hate him, all the king’s men angling to kill him, backstabbers among him, his own son tried to kill him. He understood hate without reason.
For us, we often only experience micro-aggressions of hate or social media comments from an unknown keyboard warrior. The hate we experience often pales in comparison to those in other countries.
Out to get you…
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; [and] those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
Psalm 40:14-15
[T]he Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
Psalm 41:2
My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
Psalm 41:5-9
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Psalm 43:1-2
How to respond…
The Psalms showcase realistic scenarios, sometimes extreme, compared to what we face. By the same token, the Psalms also showcase appropriate responses.
The authors request help from God in their situations while acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty.
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
Psalm 40:17
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41:10-13
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
Psalm 42:5-6
Hate without reason…
While the world takes every opportunity to shun God and ignore that they hate without a reason, Christians are still called to holy living and obedience. Being on the receiving end of hatred is HARD! It can cut to the heart in less than a second. As much as this hurts, it should also become the basis for us to continuously turn to God.
Only He can heal those wounds, strengthen our resolve, bring about justice as we work toward releasing hopes for vengeance, and comfort us.
It is coming…
Already in some Chinese provinces, church pastors are being jailed for merely refusing to take down a cross, they’re being forced to remove all signs on the building, hang up China’s national flag at the front of the church, hang an image of President Hu Jingpin IN the sanctuary, and install security cameras facing the congregation. “Police beat and arrested the protestors before forcing the church gate open and removing the cross. Pastor Li Juncai told the workers they should proceed according to the law and that he opposed the removal of the crosses. He was arrested and accusing of disrupting public service… sentenced to five and a half years in prison and given a fine of more than $7,000 USD.”
In Iran, Christians are being jailed for “acting against national security” and “promoting Zionism”, then denied representation, stuck in jail after losing their right to appeal at a trial where their new lawyers were refused entry. These are thought “crimes”, not actual crimes.
In Eritrea, “jailed Protestants are routinely subjected to physical beatings and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs. Police and military authorities continue to demand the prisoners return to one of the three “official” Christian denominations recognized by the government.” They continually get arrested for their beliefs, not crimes.
Sadly, we are naive, misinformed, or ignorant to think this will not effect first world nations.
In fact, Canadian pastors are being jailed for meeting with their congregants. Singing and worshiping together has become criminal in the eyes of some.
What will you do…
The world is heading on a trajectory where Christians will be hated all the more than they already are. Are you ready for that? Do you know where you stand? Most of all, will you stand firm in your faith?
Start now! Learn your Bible and study it. Delve into the Word daily to develop the strength and steadfastness of your relationship with Jesus now. You will want the rock of your salvation to be your rock before trials and tribulations start.
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I am.praying my way through the psalms right now, and keep bumping into the fact that I experience so little hate or opposition which makes me think I am not being overt enough about my faith and the gospel…
I have no doubt you know this, but a friendly reminder that David didn’t *always* experience it either, there are seasons of reprieve, peace, and growth too. You may have storms coming in which your heart is being prepared now. 💕
Wow, that is profoundly true, Becca. Thanks so much for sharing your insight.
With each passing day I feel more and more hostility towards Christians and a biblical world view. Thank you for the encouragement.