October 7 - God's Anger

        Psalm 7:11 - "The righteous God judges; he is angry every day [with the wicked]."

        A thorough study of the Psalms shows a balance between God's love for mankind, for the righteous person, and for Israel; and his anger for sin and wicked, evil persons. There are many instances related to God's righteous judgments and his anger. In the context of the Psalm above, God is angry every day with the wicked, those are living in a state of wickedness. Paul, in the New Testament describes in detail in Romans chapters 3-7, how the sinful nature causes our evil state. Then, in Romans 7:24, 25 and in 1 Corinthians, 1:30, he gives us the remedy for being the objects of God's anger. Jesus Christ has become our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. If it weren't for our acceptance (reception) of Jesus being our scapegoat to take the punishment of God's anger in our place, we would still be in the place of incurring God's (impending) anger. In other words, Jesus has become our firewall, keeping the heat of God's anger from reaching us.

       This is not the same as incurring the consequences of our individual actions, while living as believers. That is another topic in itself. As John states in his Gospel and in his first letter, when we receive Jesus, he gives us the right to become children of God and the assurance of eternal life with God, not separated from him in eternal punishment. See John 1:12 and 1 John 5:11-13.

October 3 - Submitting to the Supreme Ruler

Psalm 2:10, 11 - "Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned you rulers of the earth. Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling."

        The second Psalm is not credited to any author in the missing title. However, from the context, it appears that it was written regarding the reign of King David or Solomon. The kings in the entire Psalm are probably those of the outlying lands of the kingdom of Israel that David or Solomon had captured or subdued, and had brought under his control. The readers are commanded to acquiesce to the ruler, lest they incur the wrath of the ruler. In other words, life could still go well if the subjects were not bent on rebellion.

        The same goes for us as Christians. When we become God's children, we acknowledge the goodness of God, his forgiveness, and his authority to rule our lives as well as the whole universe. However, it doesn't mean that all of our sinful, rebellious attitudes have been erased. We must continually die to ourselves, so that we can let "the Son" reign in our hearts, minds, thoughts, and attitudes. After all, his ways are much better for us, better than those we selfishly cling to. So let's strive to become obedient children and let verse 12 be the outcome: "Blessed are all who take refuge in him."