"The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made." (Psalm 145:9, NIV) is a powerful declaration of God's boundless love, extending not only to humanity but to all of His creation, including animals. From a vegan theological perspective, this verse calls us to embody God’s compassion by rejecting violence, cruelty, and exploitation of all sentient beings.
Throughout the Bible, God’s care for animals is evident. In Genesis 1:29-30, He originally ordained a plant-based diet, providing "every seed-bearing plant" for food. This Edenic vision reflects God’s desire for a world without bloodshed, where humans and animals coexist peacefully. Psalm 145:9 reinforces this divine mercy, reminding us that God does not limit His goodness to humans alone but extends it to all creatures.
If God is truly compassionate toward all He has made, then human actions should align with this divine attribute. Yet, modern factory farming and industrial slaughterhouses cause immense suffering to billions of animals each year. These practices contradict God’s merciful nature and the biblical call to servanthood (Genesis 2:15), where humans are to serve creation, not exploit it.
Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love and mercy, taught that the merciful are blessed (Matthew 5:7). Would He, who likened Himself to a shepherd tenderly caring for His flock, condone the systemic abuse of animals for human consumption? Living a vegan lifestyle honors God’s compassion, allowing us to be reflections of His love in the world.
To truly live out Psalm 145:9, we must extend our circle of compassion beyond just humans and recognize that God’s mercy is for all living beings. Choosing kindness over cruelty, we embrace the divine call to love all that God has made.
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