Category: hate

Covid-19 (#2 of 2 linked poems)

Ruth Kirk

1. This plague won’t end
Until we turn to God,
Wanting to change our goal
From looks, to love.

2. This plague won’t end
Until we turn to God,
Willing to shift our hopes
From wealth, to love.

3. This plague won’t end
Until we turn to God,
Ready to move our hearts
From hate, to love.

4. This plague won’t end
Until we turn to God,
Learning to switch
From selfishness, to love.

5. This plague won’t end
Until we’ve understood,
And changed our way of life on earth –
For good!

References

1. Repent of your sins and turn to God (Matthew 3:2; NLT).

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; NLT).

2. God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20; NLT).

3. You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:27; NLT).

4. Then he [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

5. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; NLT)

You have shown me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11; NLT).

War and peace

Ruth Kirk
Photo: Alexas_Fotos

I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war
(Psalm 120:7; NIV).

Lord,

1. Embed these words
In every soul:
I am for peace,
Though others are for war.

2. Lodge them in every heart
As our shared goal:
I am for peace,
Though others are for war.

3. Fix them in every mind
And every prayer:
I am for peace,
Though others are for war.

4. Put them in every mouth
Till all declare:
We are for peace!
Then strife will be no more.

Photo: Wikimedialimages

References

The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4; NLT).

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever (Revelation 21:4; NLT).

In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain (Isaiah 65:25; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

Photo: Ben_Kerckx

Like you

Ruth Kirk

Lord,

1. Help me not to sin,
But to serve others;

2. Help me not to hate,
But to forgive.

3. Help me not to dominate,
But listen;

4. Help me not to take, Lord,
But to give.

5. Help me not to injure,
But to comfort;

6. Help me not to damage,
But renew.

7. Help me not to fear,
But speak out boldly —

8. For then I will grow more and more
Like you.

References

1. Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

2. When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross [and] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-4; NLT).

3. You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19; NLT).

4. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35; NLT).

5. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).

6. Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23; NLT).

7. God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition (1 Thessalonians 2:2; NLT).

8. We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

Listen to your neighbour

Ruth Kirk

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

1. Listen to your neighbour,
Don’t argue, or agree,
Or try to make them change their mind:
Just give your love for free.

2. Listen to each stranger,
Don’t judge them, or reject,
Or try to make them more like you:
Just meet them, and connect.

3. Listen to each foreigner,
Don’t shun, shout, or demand,
Or try to make them speak your tongue:
Just strive to understand.

4. Listen to your enemy,
Don’t fear, or hate, or fight,
Or try to make them yield to you:
Just hold them in God’s light.

References

1. Love your neighbour (Mark 12:31; NLT).

2. Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

3. Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

4. Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

When we wake

Ruth Kirk

1. When we wake,
Your light returns.

2. When we hate,
Your fire burns.

3. When we fail,
Your truth is clear.

4. When we fall,
Your peace is near.

5. When we care,
Your love, Lord, shows;

6. And when we pray,
Your Spirit flows.

References

1. God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

2. God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).

3. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

4. The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

5. God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

6. God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).

Love us, Lord

Ruth Kirk

1. Love us, Lord,
As we love those who hurt us;

2. Forgive us, Lord,
As we forgive them, too.

3. Help us, Lord,
As we help those who hate us;

4. Then we will live in peace, Lord God,
With you.

 

References

1. Love your enemies! (Luke 6:28; NLT).

2. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (Luke 11:4; NLT).

3. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:28; NLT).

4. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18; NLT).

We can’t give hope

Ruth Kirk

To acquire wisdom is to love oneself (Proverbs 19:8; NLT).

1. We can’t give hope to others
When we have none of our own.

2. We can’t love other people
When we hate to be alone.

3. We can’t guide other people
When we do not know the way,

4. Nor help them find their heaven
When we live in hell each day.

References

1. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future (Jeremiah 17:6; NLT).

2. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

3. Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless (Psalm 107:4; NLT).

4. God blesses those who […] realise their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs (Matthew 5:3; NLT).

If I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there (Psalm 139:8; NLT).