God’s Hope for Your Heart from Psalm 2
GOD’S WRATH REVEALS YOUR REFUGE
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:11-12)
Not many people talk about the wrath of God these days. Most folks are comfortable with the image of Jesus as a gentle servant, not an angry master.
Yet, we cannot ignore what the Bible says. God is gentle and kind, to be sure, but He is also holy and just and has a rightful anger towards sin and sinners themselves.
But, here’s the Good News: God’s love is even greater than His wrath!
How do we know this? Because even though God’s anger towards sin is righteous and fierce, He poured it out on Jesus, who willingly died on your behalf. By His death on the cross, Jesus stepped in to absorb the full weight of God’s wrath for all who put their faith in Him, so that we “would not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16b)
That’s why if you’re in Christ, you can actually take comfort in God’s wrath, because it makes the refuge of His love for you all the more compelling.
Just like stars shine most brightly against the black of night, so the beauty of the Gospel shines most clearly in contrast to the reality of God’s wrath. Nobody wants to surrender to a Savior if they feel no need of saving, but in the face of certain judgment, how sweet and lovely is the message of the cross!
So, may you walk in the joy of His love as you declare with the people of God, “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” And, if you’re in Christ, may you never lose sight of the hope you have in this truth: God’s wrath reveals your refuge.
-Pastor Phillip
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