“O you who love the Lord, hate evil!” Psalm 97:10
Lord Jesus, like most emotive words, “hate” can be used actually and metaphorically. Teach us the difference. Help us steward the important emotion of hatred. Though I “hate” long checkout lines, finding an empty ice cream carton in the freezer, and Duke beating UNC in anything; that’s not the same thing as hating human trafficking, hating the pornography “industry,” hating war, and hating my own sin.
Help us hate what you hate Jesus—with a passionate, pure, show-up-and-be-a-part-of-the-solution hatred. Vengeance belongs to you, not us. Since you have defeated evil and put an expiration date on all of it, we live with hope on mission. Our labors of love in your name will never be in vain. There will never be a wasted preaching of the Gospel, or futile caring for the vulnerable and poor, or pointless act of mercy and justice.
Likewise, Jesus, we know “love” can also be used actually and metaphorically. I “love” low humidity, Carolina-blue-sky days. I love fly fishing and trout catching. I love flourless chocolate cake. But loving you is never to be a metaphor, allegory, simile, or mere sentimental feeling. Though we will only love you as you deserve when you return, please restore the love we had for you at first (Rev.2:4)—when we first rested in the riches of the Gospel and the wonders of your love. But don’t leave us there.
Jesus, may your truth, goodness, and beauty simply take over, and take us into a love for you that is beyond all we can ask for imagine. May the excellency of knowing you and being loved by you become the most defining and delighting realities in our lives (Phil.3:7-11). So Very Amen.
