Dear Friend, Thank you so much for joining us again in our journey to knowing God. We often portray God as a God of love and God of Mercy. We meditate upon His grace, faithfulness, and His compassion. But our Lord also gets angry. He gets angry when he sees the injustice against the destitute, old, orphans, and widows. His anger burns when people grumble at Him, repeatedly disobey, and act with greed and selfishness. But our God is slow to anger.
The Lord said, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.“
Exodus 34:6 ESV
God applies His anger with Patience:
God always applies His anger with patience. He does not want to punish anyone in a rage of anger. He gives them time. His judgment tarries because of His patience. He is slow to anger because of His long patience.
God made a covenant with Abraham. He promised His offspring would inherit the land after four generations because the sins of Amorites were not complete. He gave four hundred years for Amorites to change their sinful ways. The Lord said, “They (Israelites) shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” – Genesis 15:16 ESV. He tarried His judgment and waited patiently. When they did not turn back from their evil ways, even after four hundred years, He applied the judgment on Amorites.
In another circumstance, God says, “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—” – Isaiah 62:2 ESV. The God of heaven waited for mortal souls with His outstretched hands.
Jesus lamented and wept over Jerusalem. He patiently tried to gather the city of Jerusalem many times under His wings. He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” – Matthew 23:37.
God’s anger is preceded by His abounding Love:
God’s anger is always preceded and succeeded by abounding Love.
When the sins of Nineveh reached their brim, God did not apply His judgment with anger. He sent this prophet, Jonah. God wanted to give the people of Nineveh an opportunity to come out of sins. Jonah pronounced God’s judgment on Nineveh. When the people changed their hearts and asked for forgiveness, God also changed his heart. He did not apply His judgment. His heart moved with abounding love.
The Lord said, “Should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
– Jonah 4:11 ESV.
God’s anger is succeeded by His abounding Love:
Sometimes the punishments are imminent when the people do not listen to God’s reiterated warning. He sends His prophets to warn them about the consequences of their disobedience. When the nation refuses to listen, God sends His punishment. But His heart moves. His anger is always succeded by abounding Love.
It happened in the 6th century BC. God sent mighty prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah to warn the people. But the people refused to listen. The punishment came through the Babylonians. Judah was destroyed and exiled to Babylon. The people of Judah paid the price for their repeated disobedience. The nation was destroyed and made desolate. But the heart of God was moved when He saw the consequence of punishments. God said, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.” – Isaiah 54:7,8 ESV.
Dear friend, search your heart today. Do you have uncontrolled anger in your life? Have you broken many hearts with your angry words? Jesus wants to help you today. Look at our God. He gets angry when the injustice happens. But He applies His anger with love and patience. He is slow to anger. How about you?
The Bible says, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” – Psalm 38:8 ESV. Listen to this advice from God. We may not be willing to listen to advice from our family and friends. But, let’s listen to God’s counsel and wise words. Let us refrain from anger and forsake the wrath. The Bible says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26,27 ESV.
Jesus wants to change your life. Let’s go to His presence and ask Jesus to mend our life. Some of the wives are dealing with angry spouses and kids with their angry parents. Jesus can teach us how to control our emotions positively. Let’s pray to Him.
Please place your hand on your heart and call upon the name of Jesus. Pray the below prayer from the bottom of your heart. Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, I want to be like you. You are my creator and my heavenly father. I have learned today that you are always slow to anger. Your anger is always applied with patience and love. Please change my life. Let me be like you. I also want to give up my uncontrolled anger. You alone can help me. Fill my heart with graceful and encouraging words. Let my anger not hurt anyone around me. Let your heavenly peace fill my life. Please hold me and make me like you. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Dear friend, thanks so much for joining with us today. We hope Jesus spoke to you personally. He is your heavenly father. Please continue to hold on to Him. May Jesus bless you and make you a blessing for many. Keep in touch. You may like to read, How to Control Your Tongue.