No Punishment out of Anger

 ^4(H)Sing praise to the LORD, you ^(I)His godly ones,
         And ^(J)give thanks to His holy ^(K)name.
    ⁵For ^(L)His anger is but for a moment,
         His ^(M)favor is for a lifetime;
         Weeping may ^(N)last for the night,
         But a shout of joy comes in the morning. 

Pslam 30:4-5


I'm not sure where chronologically this psalm was written but it seems to have been by David after he took the census and God struck in anger against him, causing something like 70,000 men to die.  But God showed compassion and relented from His punishment before unleashing more wrath against His people.  


Knowing that he sinned and deserved punishment he pleaded with God not to impose addition harm against the nation Israel since it wasn't their sin that prompted David's census.  David alone was at fault for being so selfish and counting his "money" or "riches."  He felt so bad that he wanted the punishment to be only on him and his family.  God lifted His hand and David was so thankful.  


We too, as people of God, need to recognize the temporary things that happen in our lives in relation to the greater, eternal blessings.  We need sometimes to be disciplined and slapped around but that's a means to a greater end.  I'm not saying God punishes us out of anger.  I believe He gets angry at us, yet, but out of that anger He allows certain things to happen to discipline.  Can you imagine if God acted out of anger?  The whole universe could be destroyed if He wanted to.  No, God is a loving God and corrects.


Father God, thank You for Your grace.  I know we deserve so many punishments and, like David, I'm so glad that your anger is for only a moment.  I cannot and don't want to imagine Your wrath being poured out against Your people.  Thank You for Your patience.  In Christ's name I pray, Amen!