Psalm 85: Verses 1-3 (NIV-UK)
You, Lord, showed favour to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
Romans Chapter 2: Verse 1 (NIV-UK)
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
The Psalmist reminds us that though Israel deserved God’s anger so often, God made a decision to forgive and turn aside from His anger. We’re not even talking about anger that was unjustified. Israel deserved to be treated justly, and God chose to show grace and mercy.
He chose also extend the same grace and mercy to us, and still does. Psalm 103 tells us that He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus took that punishment instead on our behalf. But how do we treat others who perhaps have treated us, or others that we know, in a way where we feel we have every right to be angry? Paul reminds us that we need to be very careful when passing judgement on anyone else, even if we feel that its right to do so. It means that we have to make a choice. We can hold on to the anger and allow it to direct the actions or decisions that we take, or we can do as God does and chose to let the anger go, and follow through with mercy. After all, we have Jesus’ example to follow. Did He not say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.
Choosing to let go of our anger doesn’t mean that the person we have been angry with won’t know any consequences from their actions, but it does mean that we ourselves won’t dwell on the situation and get in a stew over it. The longer we hold on to something, the more damage it does to us in the long run. The sooner we can get rid of the angry feelings, the less likely we are that they will turn into resentment or a grudge.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You never expect us to do something that You haven’t done Yourself. Jesus knows what its like to be treated in a way that was so wrong, Your anger would have been justified. Yet You chose to forgive. Help me to follow that example. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.