I must keep my thinking straight about God’s anger. I have been taught that since Christ died for my sins, thus satisfying God’s judicial anger, He will never become angry with me as His child. That is wrong. For God not to become angry with me when I show perverseness would be a dereliction of His fatherhood. If I have never felt His parental anger, then I have never sinned. Who of us can say that?
My comfort is not to deny God’s anger but to understand it. For one thing, God’s anger with His children is momentary, “Nor will He keep His anger forever” (Psalm 103:9). God’s judicial wrath against unrepentant sinners is abiding and eternal (John 3:36), but His parental anger against me is swift and transitory. The moment its cleansing work is done, it abates and finally ceases.
Also, God’s anger against His people is slow in rising. He is “slow to anger” (Psalm 103:8). Only after repeated warnings and grievings does the Lord finally show “burning anger” toward us (Psalm 85:3). His is not the cold, deadly wrath of the state executing justice upon a criminal; it is the tried patience of a father who longingly wants his son to walk the right way. God’s anger, therefore, is veiled love. It is the cry of a God who can be hurt by His people.
God is always in control of His anger. As a Father He relents as the occasion demands; and despite His occasional chastening, how much sweeter that rod than the everlasting burnings. Lord, may I always respect Your anger, and may I always speedily end what brought it to birth against me! Let me enjoy the turning away of Your anger and the fresh outpouring of Your love when my faithlessness is healed (Hosea 14:4).
“Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy. Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee” (Psalm 86:1–2).
Daily with the King 