Psalm 7:11-13 (ESV)
11 God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.
12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;
he has bent and readied his bow;
13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,
making his arrows fiery shafts.
We do not often enjoy focusing on the wrath of God, but in order for us to have a grasp of who God is, his wrath and justice must be a part of our understanding. Psalm 7 has a very simple, very clear picture of God’s justice. There is a simple conditional test. If a man does not repent, God will do justice. The obvious other side of the coin is that, if a man repents, God will have mercy. This assumption is clarified and confirmed in all of Scripture.
Perhaps you do not like the concept of Gods’ judgment or justice. Perhaps it bothers you to think of God being a judge. However, to know God and to love God must mean that we know and love the real God, the God of the Bible, and not merely a miniature god of our own imagining. When people say that they like to think of God always forgiving even the unrepentant, they tell us more about their own desires than about the true God of the universe.
God’s word is clear about the character of our Lord. Yes, he is merciful. For all who turn from their sins and run to him by grace through faith in Jesus, there is mercy. For all who refuse to come to God in repentance, there is righteous and perfect judgment.
Lord, I cannot say that I am always eager to remember that you are a God of justice. I am a sinner. Your justice frightens me. Yet, your justice is perfect, because all your ways are perfect. I do not honor you if I minimize the truth of your character. You are right. May my heart learn to love all that you are, both merciful and justly wrathful.
Pastor Travis Peterson 