April 27 | Psalm 76

Dave Mann
Apr 27
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Saved from Wrath

By Dave Mann

Most people are not encouraged by the topic of the wrath of God. However, that matter is frequently addressed in the Bible. In Psalm 76:7, the psalmist prays to the Lord, “It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?”

Another well-known verse about the wrath of God is made famous by George Fredrick Handel in The Messiah. Malachi 3:2 – “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.” In this bass aria, the wrath of God causes a nervous grinding of emotion. The aria presents again and again the question, “Who shall stand when he appeareth?” Click here.

Some mistakenly assert that the wrath of God is only mentioned in the Old Testament. However, it appears 29 times in the New Testament as well. Do a quick search for “wrath” or “anger” on www.BibleGateway.com and you will find plenty of evidence. Here are just a few references in the New Testament.

Romans 1:18 -- The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

Romans 5:9 -- Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

1 Thessalonians 1:10 -- Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

1 Thessalonians 5:9 -- For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are four points that are well attested in the Scriptures.

1. The wrath of God is real and certain. It is not outdated or absent as if it were no longer in vogue in our society.

2. The wrath of God is just and fair. We can be sure that whatever God decides that his judgment is fair. There is no court of appeals.

3. No one can stand before the wrath of God. All of us deserve judgment because we all have sinned.

4. But in Christ, we are saved. When we are in Christ, we can be confident that we are spared God’s judgment.

We give thanks to God that Christ’s death on the cross is the testament that God’s righteous decree is fulfilled and we are saved.

PRAYER

Righteous Father, I am eternally grateful that through Christ we can be spared your certain judgment. I know that I cannot stand on my own in your presence, but in Christ we will be welcomed for all eternity, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.