LOVE THEM THAT MUCH?

Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Make them failures in everything they do, until they learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth." Psalm 83:16-18 NLT

I don't know it for a fact, but the idea of tough love didn't arise in the early 80's like most of us are led to believe.

No, I think it began with the words Asaph penned, through the Holy Spirit's guidance, in these verses.

Real love doesn't just overlook their sins, their godless actions, their hate-filled attitudes.

If you truly love someone, you want God's best for them. Not just ease. Not just success. Not just to be tolerated or accepted just as they are.

If you love them enough, you'll pray calamity on their lives until they come to know the Lord and serve Him wholly. You'll pray that obstacles and hedges of protection will keep them from living a sinful life. You'll pray that their dreams and hopes will fall flat until their hearts and minds are focused on their Creator.

Asaph gives us a directive in regards to the real meaning behind tough love.

Do you love your unsaved loved one this much?