The Wrath of God

Scripture: Romans 4:18-21 (ESV)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Devotion:

            Today, we consider the wrath of God. In our churches today, you will not hear this topic preached from our pulpits very often if at all. This is due in part to the prevailing spirit of this age, which believes God has no justification for being filled with wrath and anger. We want to see God as a being who is always there for us with comfort in our distress. A God who so loved the world that He would give up His only Son so that we might escape God’s wrath. These are not false claims about God but rather only part of the total picture.

            Humanity today sees itself as better than it is and God as less holy than He truly is. The modern person sees themselves not as sinners but as saints. Some may not go as far as to claim sainthood, but they believe they are generally good folks, and God, indeed, has no right to be angry with them. But we are mistaken if we think in this way. The scriptures make plain that we are all full of sin, fully deserving of God’s wrath. If we believe otherwise, we will miss the whole meaning of the cross and the resurrection.

            We must be reminded regularly of the perfect holiness of God. How this God cannot tolerate even what we consider the most minor and most trivial of sins in his presence. How, without Jesus Christ’s atoning work in His passion, we would all be hopelessly lost for all eternity. We would be people fully deserving of the fullness of that wrath poured out on us on the day of judgment. We are a people saved by grace. God’s unmerited kindness and mercy. Not of our works lest anyone should boast about their goodness.

            Indeed, God’s glory is made known to all humankind through the wonders of the created order—the incredible power and majesty of the heavens. The earth and the fullness thereof are plain to the naked eye. Even in the destructive power of nature, a certain grandeur fills us with awe and wonders if we are awake to it. Let us, therefore, be aware of God as a loving God, yes, but also a God whose love can be found even in wrath.

Prayer

            Lord God Almighty, we bow in awe and reverence before you. We should be thankful you loved us enough to send Jesus Christ to atone for our sinful condition. We acknowledge that we are not perfect people, and our works could never satisfy your righteousness requirements on our merit. We depend entirely on the salvation you have supplied in Jesus. We lift your name in praise and glorify you with our whole being. Let us be filled with awe when we look upon your creation, for you indeed are a Holy God, and there is no other beside you. Amen.