Joy Comes in the Morning

When you're on the receiving end of someone's anger, whether it's justified or not, whether it involves retribution or not, it's simply not pleasant, is it? It robs you of any peace or joy that you may have had  So let me ask you today: Does God get angry with us? Not just with people in general, but with you, with me? This isn't merely a theoretical question. It's real. Here's what King David of Israel wrote on that very subject: Psalm 30:4-5 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment; his favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (NRSV) So, it seems that God does indeed get angry with His people. And though for you, for me, for anyone who believes in Jesus, we know that Christ bore God's punishment for our sin on that Cross, our sin still has short-term and (if we'll allow it to) long-term ramifications. But as Charles Spurgeon put it, "God's anger isn't like our anger. He's slow to anger and swift to bless. His wrath is always just, never petty or unpredictable." Look, sometimes you and I are going to mess things up, to fall short, to (as God puts it) sin. Whilst He is slow to anger, sometimes we will make Him angry. And yet … His anger lasts for a little while, but then his kindness brings life. Please, if you've messed up, turn back to Him. Ask for forgiveness in Jesus' mighty name. For though weeping may linger for the night, joy comes with the morning! That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.