God's Righteous Anger
READ: Psalm 18: 7-15
What scares you? Everyone has something that they’re afraid of. It might be loud noises, guns, tornados, water, the dark, or any number of other things. Maybe it isn’t something physical; maybe you fear rejection, failure, separation from loved ones, the future, and the like.
Should you be afraid of God? In this section of Psalm 18, David describes the anger of God – an anger that shakes the foundations of the earth, that produces a consuming fire, that flashes lightening, and that pours out hailstones. From David’s description, the righteous anger of God is indeed terrifying. Indeed, no one who opposes the LORD stands a chance against Him.
By nature, we oppose God. Our sins separate us from him and earn nothing but his fierce wrath and punishment. As we examine our own lives, we do well to consider the wrath of God. So how is it that David referred to this angry God - who had every right to be angry at David for his sins, too - as his place of refuge and strength earlier in the Psalm?
Thankfully, God loves us so much that despite our sinfulness, He chose to satisfy His righteous anger by punishing his perfect Son Jesus for our sins in our place. Jesus’ perfect life, death and resurrection restored our relationship with God! And by faith, we receive His blessings, His protection, and His unfailing love. And out of love and gratitude for his goodness to us, we seek to do God’s will, knowing from His Word what angers Him and what pleases Him.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How is knowing the righteous anger of God both a bad thing and a good thing? How does this description of God in Psalm 18: 7-13 influence your understanding of the power of God and the grace of God?
THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT: Thank God for sending his one and only Son Jesus to redeem us from God’s wrath. Pray that unbelievers are called to repentance because of God’s wrath and that God provides someone to share with them the good news of their Savior Jesus.