Children are so honest. I remember mine asking me directly, “Daddy, are you mad right now?” Kids look for clues and when the clues are not clear, they just ask.
Children wonder about God in the same simple terms: ‘Does God have an angry face or a happy face?’
God is angry about sin, injustice, corruption, and perversion. He is passionate about justice.
But God does not define Himself by anger. Throughout the word, He reminds us that He is holy. But when God labels Himself, He does not choose ANGER.
He does not say “God IS anger.” He says, “God IS love” 1 John 4:8.
Holiness reminds me how KIND God is. Holiness means God is pure, of course. But when it comes to the way God treats me, I know He is KIND. You see, because God is holy, God is kind to me. And God is going to bless me, not because I deserve to be blessed, but because GOD IS LOVE. Consider how deeply He desires to bless His people. It’s THROUGHOUT the Bible. He blesses us in spite of our disobedience:
“I take delight in you … Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things… I will bring health and healing… I will let you experience the abundance of peace and truth… I will purify you from the wrongs you have committed … I will forgive… You will TREMBLE WITH AWE BECAUSE OF ALL THE GOOD AND ALL THE PEACE I WILL BRING ABOUT FOR YOU… There will be heard again a sound of joy and gladness… I will restore the fortunes of the land….” Jeremiah 32:41, 33:3,6,8,9,11.
Do you fail? Do you sin? Of course. Israel also failed. But God wants to forgive, and more than that, He wants to bless. God looks at His children and smiles.
Dear God, thank you for your kindness, your holiness, your forgiveness, and the undeserved blessings you pour on us so generously. Help us love You more every day!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 