Exodus 34:6–7
The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty. . .”
There is so much to be angry about in the world today (and so many algorithms trying to feed it to you all at once). Anger often feels good at first, almost refreshing. Anger is enlivening in a way. But before you know it you are drowning in your own anger. To live in this kind of anger will crush your soul. It will shrivel and rot your heart. Neither can you just decide not to be angry; that’s impossible. So how do you make it through today, this day of rage?
Remember that God is slow to anger, but that does not mean ignoring sin. You can see both his mercy and his justice in the cross. The death of Jesus on the cross is the greatest display of mercy for sinners–the only means of forgiveness and an invitation to restoration. And the death of Jesus on the cross is the greatest display of justice because it shows the seriousness of God toward sin. The beloved only Son of God bore the sins of the world and received the punishment humanity is due.
This means that your anger has an outlet. It has a resolution. You have a place of relief. Bring it to the cross where sin was dealt with. Hand it over to God who will, without a shadow of a doubt, resolve the evils you have faced. To do so is an act of faith and obedience. It is also an act of deliverance because by actively offloading your anger you are actively receiving the freedom God offers in Christ.
And remember God’s mercy to you. Remember the forgiveness you have received, the healing, the restoration through the gospel of Jesus. Breathe deep and inhale the promises of God; receive his care for you. Lay down the burden of your anger today and every day it piles up, and remember that God is just and merciful.
I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe.