Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:15-19.

Our chapter, 2 Chronicles 31, tells about the faithful returning to the worship of God through spiritual renewal. With King Hezekiah leading them the people gave generously so worship through the temple practices could be performed by priests dedicated to teaching the people about God. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. v. 20-21.

What about us today? Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Watching the news and the horrors of what human beings can do to children whether happening in Israeli villages by Hamas gunmen or by gunmen in an elementary classroom in America reminds us that hate and evil are of old. We are all of us wounded and those wounds are painful and deep. Who can comprehend that kind of hate?

It’s so easy to blame God. This life whether lived hundreds or thousands of years ago or now is not God. But God will redeem the things of this life that caused so much hate and evil. How? God’s Love conquers evil and hate.

Truth lives. I AM lives. He gave His life for us. I can’t imagine facing the horrors of evil and hate that too many human beings including children have faced. But I know that He was right there to receive them into His arms of healing and Love. The nations will exalt when God removes evil and hate. God speed that day in Your wisdom and Love. We need You, Lord. Please gather us now to You and help us to understand how much we need Your Love.