The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
He offered no real prize when the devil tempted Jesus. He had nothing actually to give. He had no power to save Jesus from his hard work of our redemption. He had no kingdom to give. But that didn’t stop him from showing his true nature and character. Trying to get Jesus to turn stones into loaves of bread is one thing. When he told Jesus that if he threw himself off the top of the temple his angels would surely save him, Jesus answered, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” But he showed himself how fully he was the father of the lie when he claimed he could give all all the kingdoms of the world with all their authority and glory if Jesus would bow down and worship him. That was a damned lie (excuse the language!).
Jesus rightly responded, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” He was quoting Deuteronomy 6:13. This comes only a few verses after the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Recall these words:
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Worthless idols. The hand of the wicked. This is Satan and his minions. His gifts are worthless shams. His boasts are hollow and vapid. He is the supreme purveyor of wickedness. He will deliver nothing of what he promises. Smash musical aside, wickedness has nothing to recommend it. It is a thin veil against a harsh wind and brutal cold.
God calls his people to hate evil and love that which is good. He yearns for us to see how destructive are the lies of the devil. He craves our love not for his own sake but for ours, so that we are not destroyed. He holds out good for us, knowing that the devil holds out doom, despair, and disaster.
When you see the brutal behavior of drug lords, war lords, and human traffickers, it’s easy to hate them. They bring so much harm and devastation upon the earth. They kill our children, abuse our youth, and steal our will to live. This is the work of Satan, and he must be stopped.
The devil’s ploys are not often recognizable for what they truly are. We see the fruit, not the poisonous barb. We see the mirage of benefit rather than the dry desert of desolation. Resist him! Look to the Lord who loves truth, gives grace, and authors life for all who rejoice in his unfailing love.
This is our Jesus. He is mighty to save!
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment