Reflect on the unimaginable weight of God’s anger! When we speak of God’s anger, it’s essential to understand that it’s not driven by human-like emotions but rather expressed through His righteous actions against those who provoke His displeasure.
Consider God’s wrath as it is evident in the world today. The world itself bears the marks of being under God’s disapproval. Creation, including both living and non-living parts, has been significantly affected since its original state due to sin, bearing the curse imposed by God. Storms, earthquakes, diseases, and death with all its suffering are the consequences of sin and God’s anger.
God’s anger is even more apparent in specific judgments He has executed upon humanity throughout history. Recall the plagues in Egypt, the destruction of the Egyptian first-born, and Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. Think about the severe punishments inflicted on rebels like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Reflect on the numerous individuals in the wilderness who faced God’s wrath due to their disobedience and complaints. Recall the fire and brimstone raining down on Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain. Consider the global flood that wiped out nearly all life except those preserved on Noah’s ark. These serve as clear evidence of God’s indignation against sin and His resolve to punish it accordingly.
However, nothing reveals God’s anger more profoundly than seeing Jesus Christ bearing the full penalty for our sins. Observe the sinless Lamb of God suffering in the garden, His agony causing His sweat to become like drops of blood. Hear Him in the depths of unimaginable suffering, crying out, “My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?” Witness His ultimate sacrifice, dying under the weight of humanity’s sins. If we could grasp the depth of this mystery, we would surely acknowledge the power of God’s anger.
Consider God’s wrath as it manifests in the world to come. In the Book of Revelation, the fate of the tormented is described, as they endure the full force of God’s fury and burning sulfur, with their suffering never-ending. It’s a terrifying prospect that should not be scoffed at.
Many dismiss the notion of God’s wrath, but knowing the fear of the Lord, I urge you to consider whether you will continue to do so when you experience it firsthand. Think about the weight of His indignation and the inescapable nature of His anger.
Reflect on both the kindness and severity of God, as mentioned in Romans 11:22. Christians should compare their state to that of those in the torments of Hell and recognize their immense debt to the One who redeemed them through the suffering and death of Christ, as a demonstration of God’s love, even while they were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
-Charles Simeon (Updated for Today’s Reader)
The Fight of Faith 