Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:16-18.

There are times I confess when I feel overwhelmed by the hate in this world. God reminds me to turn to Him. Stop trying to understood what cannot be understood.

The word of truth, God’s love, is the heavenly light that heals us and helps us to discern spiritual goodness in a world darkened by hate. We are given a gift. Our Creator God is Holy. He helps us see a better way.

Our chapter today reminds me of our world today. Rubble, destruction, hate, fear. When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. Nehemiah 4:15. God frustrates evil. Evil cannot stand in the presence of God’s love.

What is our own work today? I loved The Message translation of Proverbs 3:5-12, that our pastor shared with us Sunday: Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t fear, dear friend, or resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.

A Father’s delight. Our hope restored from the ashes of this world’s hate. Do we realize the immense gift God’s love gives to us? His Love lights the better way and when we find God we find our meaning and purpose amidst the ruins of this world dying for lack of love. We are not lost. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22. Amen. He’s here. Always.