For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Psalm 30:5 NLT
Pain may be my friend, but when it comes in the form of a needle I want nothing to do with it.
Shots taken when I was a youngster I had no choice in. When the decision became mine, I avoided them if possible—even though they had advantages. Like the one I took shortly after beginning college. I had developed an unexplainable rash. The doctor attributed it to anxiety over a new situation and a new residence. Before I knew what happened, he jabbed a needle in my hip. Had I not lain down voluntarily, I would have soon lain down involuntarily.
When I worked in the public school system, testing for TB was mandatory. This involved placing a needle under my skin. I sat still, endured the pain, and made it through without passing out. Presently, I work around hundreds of kids five days each week.
Once a year in the fall, a local doctor offers flu shots to school employees. Since my contract doesn’t require getting one—and since I still detest needles—I politely decline the offer.
The psalmist understood pain as well—the type that arrived when God’s anger flared up. Fortunately, joy came in the morning after he endured His anger.
God’s anger produces pain. His anger originates over sin. He’s not mad at me, per se, but He does detest my sinful practices. Sin separates me from Him.
Holiness characterizes His nature, and He cannot associate with sin. God hates the sin, but not the sinner. The same thing He wants me to do. A practice some characterize as impossible, but it’s not.
Because my sin pains God, He sends discomfort my way so I’ll do something about my evil practices. He designs His agony in such a way that it should bring repentance and confession from me. If it does, the pain goes away. If not, the pain hangs around. Not because God is mean and enjoys watching me suffer, but because He knows a life of sin is detrimental for me.
God wants His anger to be short-lived. I like it that way too. His anger is uncomfortable. Pain comes anytime I’m separated from my Creator to any degree. When we confess our wrongdoings, God’s anger disappears as quickly as it came.
Turn the tide of God’s anger. Confess quickly and experience His joy in the morning.
Tweetable: Are you experiencing God's love or wrath?
Prayer: Father, while we understand Your anger, we’d rather experience Your joy. We confess our sins and receive it today.
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Having lived for years with His wrath, I am so ever grateful for His love😍
ReplyDeleteI am too. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteHuman nature is a fickle thing. When things go bad, people look around for someone or something to blame. The final excuse is, “The devil made me do it!” However, when things go good, the reason is obviously good planning and leadership One of the reasons that David was so special In God’s sight, was the fact that he did not fall into that trap. “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.” Yes, when “good times” arrived, David knew where that blessing came from, and he gave credit where credit was due.
ReplyDeleteToday, Christians need to reflect the attitude David demonstrated in Psalm 30. Think about your prayer life. How many prayers do you pray for comfort or help? How many prayers are simply a “Thank you” for what God has given you? Obviously, there is nothing wrong with prayers for help and comfort.