Lenten Devotional for April 1

TIME FOR GOD: A time to love and a time to hate

Think about what it is to love, and what it is to hate. To love oneself is the key to being able to receive love and to love others in return. To love God, to love one’s neighbour and to love creation is to be fully human. “Love … your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always ‘me first,’ doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6 - The Message Bible)

Hatred is a strong emotion that we tend not to like to talk about, but the Bible has something to say about hatred, as it does about love: “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.” (Hebrews 1:9)

”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 hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Today’s challenge is to consider the idea that ‘love always hopes’ and ‘love never gives up’. How far are you persevering with the belief that the future is secure in God’s hands – whatever good or bad things humans may do?
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