Read: Psalm 92–100

Today’s passage: Psalm 97:10–12

“O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

The psalmist reminds us that life with God rests on a simple but serious truth: what we plant is what we harvest (Gal. 6:7–8). Our choices today shape tomorrow’s field. A local farmer recently told me he never puts cheap seed in the ground; the crop would suffer. In the same way, careless decisions produce a weak spiritual harvest, while faithful choices bring a full barn of blessing.

Verse 10 calls us to “hate evil.” That is stronger than avoiding evil or feeling uneasy about it. It means we side with God against anything that twists, harms, or darkens His good world—even when that evil feels normal or entertaining. James warns that trying to love sin and love God at the same time creates “double‑minded” confusion (Jas. 4:8). The heart cannot face two directions at once.

The Bible’s invitation is clear from start to finish: pick a path—sin or the Savior. When we turn from sin and walk in God’s light, the promises in Psalm 97 burst to life. “He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them…” Protection and joy are not random perks; they are fruits grown in the soil of obedience.

Notice the picture in verse 11: “Light is sown for the righteous.” God plants beams of hope into every obedient step. If you are facing a season that feels dim, ask whether your next choice is planting light or shadows. The harvest will show.

Loving God above everything else unlocks the deepest joy. Life may still hold hardship, but it will never be empty. Paul writes that we have been adopted as sons and daughters (Col. 3:15). Nothing on earth tops knowing the Father who gladly calls you family.

Take inventory of today’s “seed.” Is there a habit, show, website, or secret attitude you need to pull up like a weed? Replace it with one act of obedience—pray with a friend, forgive an offense, give quietly to someone in need. Plant light, and trust God to grow a harvest of joy.