On Sunday, Matthew will continue with the second installation of the sermon series on the Greatest Commands, which explores the love of God. It is love that God has for us, love we have for Him, love that we should have for each other. However, on Sunday evening for LIFEGroups, we are studying the one-word “WRATH.” It makes us uncomfortable to talk about wrath because it’s so much more pleasant to talk about the love of God. The question arises, if God is so loving, then why does he show so much wrath, especially in the Old Testament? Well, the same God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. And, the same God that shows love is the same God that shows wrath. God knows how to strike the perfect balance. 

One of the passages we will read on Sunday night is Isaiah 54:7-10. I hope you read the devotional lessons from the book and will be prepared to discuss what we learn. For now, read this passage and notice the balance in how God deals with His love and His Wrath.

For a brief moment I forsook you,

But with great compassion I will gather you.

“In an outburst of anger

I hid My face from you for a moment,

But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,”

Says the LORD your Redeemer.

“For this is like the days of Noah to Me,

When I swore that the waters of Noah

Would not flood the earth again;

So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you

Nor will I rebuke you.

“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,

But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,

And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”

Says the LORD who has compassion on you.

Can you see how God knows just how to show both? He has just enough love to motivate us to love Him back and enough wrath to motivate us to love Him back. The end result in both love and wrath is the same. It all points to love! Even when the mountains move and the hills shake, displaying God’s wrath, God’s love is ever-present in our lives. I hope you are encouraged even when things seem bad, there is still good. Let’s look for the balance!

I love you, 

Alex