Finding Comfort in the Wrath of God

God is so omniscient that He is aware of every detail in our world all the time. And He is righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17). And He hates all that is done in sin to hurt someone (Psalm 11:5). He despises what is wicked and unrighteous and unjust. Therefore Psalm 11:7 states, “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Or as The Message has it, “Nobody gets by with anything. God is already in action.” The wrath of God and his forgiveness are not only compatible, they are fuelled by the same power – his astounding love and goodness.

 If you are a Christian this truth is meant for your comfort, not to terrorize you. You are absolutely forever free from God’s divine judgment and wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Let me state this as clearly as I can, the fact that “Nobody gets by with anything” is for your comfort because it is written “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

All of us have been hurt and wronged at one time or another. Many of us have been lied about, insulted, abused, and mistreated. There have been times when we have been treated unjustly. The mistreatment may have been emotional or physical or financial. And the deep cry of our hearts has been “This is wrong, it’s not right, it’s not fair. It shouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t get away with this. She should have to pay.” Or perhaps we’ve seen an injustice done in the world and we wonder, “How can these people get away with the wrong they are doing?” We understand deep down inside that it is wrong for people to get away with the terrible things they do.

 The Almighty says they won’t; “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” This quote from Romans 12 is from Deuteronomy. The full quote is, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them (Deuteronomy 32:35). So put away your bitterness and lay down your burden of anger, stop nursing your hurt feelings, stop wondering if justice will ever prevail. Take a deep breath and give up revenge and let your heart heal. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).”

 You will be vindicated. The wrong will be set right. Give vengeance to the One to whom it belongs and be comforted.