Loving and Hating for the Glory of God

Our purpose is clear

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

An admonition from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church to be driven to do what they do by a desire for God to be glorified. Whatever we do, do it for God’s glory.

Anyone who strives to live for the glory of God will contend with inner conflict. Conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. Conflict between a love for what honors God and a love for the things of the world. Spiritual warfare which may ebb and flow in its intensity, but never ceases.

Those who are driven by a desire that God would be glorified will love certain things and hate other things. The Psalmist expresses this in verse 113.

Psalm 119:113 ESV

113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

And while love and hate are polar opposites, in this case these feelings are driven by the same concern, and that is that God would be honored.

We see this again a couple verses down in verse 115:

Psalm 119:115 ESV

115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

The psalmist recognizes that there are people in the world who desire seduce others out of the way of the commandments of God. He pleads with God to preserve him in his fight to resist, but also calls out to God to grant him an ever-increasing desire and commitment to obey the Lord.

These are the cries and claims of one who knows God, knows His power, knows His salvation, but also knows himself and he world and therefore knows he is in a battle.

There is a humility that the Psalmist expresses that is important for you and I to see and to possess as we strive day-to-day. He prays that God would hold him up or sustain him in order to keep him safe. (v. 117) Safe from what? The next line helps us: that I may keep the commandments of my God. The safety for which the Psalmist prays is protecting from the temptation to disobey God and an increased love for God. For obeying Him. And notice the last word in verse 117: continually. This is an ongoing prayer because this is an ongoing battle.

And the Psalmist recognizes that spurns or rejects those who disobey God without a concern to repent (v. 118). Rebellion against God and rejection of God is sobering, not because we should fear those who reject God, but because God rejects those who persist in their disobedience. Verse 120:

Psalm 119:120 ESV

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

But the Psalmist is not indifferent to the plight of those who are against God. His fear (trembling) reflect His understanding of God unstoppable judgement but also his compassion for those who were in the wake of God’s wrath.

The answer to all of this… that is, to persevere in all this conflict is to cry out to God to grant us a resilient and increasing love for God. Verse 123:

Psalm 119:123 ESV

123 My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

What is most nourishing to our weary souls is that the fulfillment of your God’s righteous promise has been fulfilled by Christ, and that promise belongs to all who belong to Him.

Please stand as the Word of God is read.

Psalm 119:113–128 ESV

113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! 118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. 121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. 123 My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. 127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.