When we have to face people who hate us, there is only one way that a victory over their hatred can happen, “I will look in triumph at those who hate me” (Psalm 118:7). The phrase “I will look in triumph” means to look at someone with satisfaction. It refers to the satisfaction of something that has already been resolved. It is choosing to look at someone who hates us satisfied that the love of God expressed in Jesus Christ has more power than the hatred directed toward us.
How we choose to look at those who hate us is a choice formed by Jesus’s redemptive heart. It becomes an attitude based on our heart posture because we have been forgiven of our sins.
Psalm 118, leading up to verse 7, begins with these words: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever” (vs. 1). Understanding how the Lord works with those who hate us can only come from a thankful heart that understands God’s goodness. God’s goodness is an expression of His love.
“His faithful love endures forever” is a phrase repeated four times in the first four verses of Psalm 118. Understanding the power of His love allowed the Psalmist to write, “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (vs. 6). When someone’s hatred of us and their hateful threats come against us, we will not be afraid of what happens because the Lord is for us. We choose to love our enemies as exemplified by the love of Jesus.
After Jesus gave examples of those who hate us, He revealed a new way forward, “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44). Many of us want to define our enemies and set up emotional and spiritual barriers against their threats, especially those whose dislike of us has become a visible expression of their hatred.
The Lord wants us to look at them differently at our enemies through the lens of His triumph over their sins. This is where God’s mercy wants to create our response. This is not an easy ask. It requires a deeper level of trust in the power of God’s love. It’s where our fear of hateful actions and words dissolves when we realize the Lord is with us, and He is the one who is calling the shots. It’s where we can look with a triumphant attitude at another person’s sin, even as they are being led by hatred, not love.
Wow ! I needed this today! Ty, I’m going through a domestic violence situation and divorce and I’m saddened to know that my own spouse truly hates me and wants to continue to hurt and control me so Ty very much for this word it soothes my ❤️