Romans 1:18-32
Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I wait for you to speak to me today, would you fill me with your peace, centre my mind on your Word, and send me out into what you have in store for me.
Read: Romans 1:18-32
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (v18,19)
Encounter: Wait a minute, what just happened? When did God get all wrath-y? The second half of Romans 1 can, to say the least, be a bit uncomfortable. We squirm at the idea of ‘the wrath of God.’ Part of why we find the concept difficult to grapple with is that we interpret the idea of God’s wrath through the lens of our experience of human anger which can be explosive, irrational, and unmeasured. But God’s wrath is not like human anger. God’s wrath is a legitimate and measured response to the corruption and evil in the world.
This explanation of God’s wrath provokes the question: how can God’s love and wrath co-exist at the same time? The question assumes that these two aspects of God’s nature are mutually exclusive, but they are, in fact, two sides of the same coin. God’s wrath and subsequent justice are also an expression of his love.
Think for a moment: how do you respond to the awful and unjust things done to people that fill the headlines every day? You feel angry and outraged based on your love or compassion for the person or people who are suffering. In the same way, but on an infinitely higher level, God is angered by evil and injustice and will hold those responsible to account.
It's also helpful to remember that God’s wrath is not a permanent aspect of his character and that his love (which is a permanent characteristic) is expressed only as wrath when the circumstances demand it. Psalm 30:5 says, ‘For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime.’
Apply: Do I find the idea of God’s wrath uncomfortable? I invite God to speak to me about it now.
Devote: Lord, the idea of your wrath and anger can make me feel uneasy. But I choose to believe that the judge of all the earth will do right. And I thank you that, one day, you will right every wrong and justice and mercy will be seen throughout the earth.