Divine Love and Anger

By A.W. Tozer, Thursday, April 09, 2009

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15 NIV)

I must confess that after I became a believer it took sometime for me to overcome the feeling that the New Testament was a book of love and the Old Testament a book of judgment. I have given the proposition much time and study, and I am able to make a report. You should know that there are three mentions of mercy in the Old Testament for every one found in the New Testament!

I find there is equally as much recorded in the Old Testament about Godís grace and faithfulness as there is in the New. Go clear back to Noah and you will find the record plain: "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). Favor, or grace, is an Old Testament quality. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8).

On the other hand, judgment is a New Testament quality. Read the words of Jesus in the Gospels. Read Peter's warnings. Read the letter of Jude. Read the Revelation. In the New Testament we learn of the terrible judgments God intends to bring upon the world.

Why do I mention these things? Because God is a God of judgment, but He is also the God of all grace. God is always the same. He will never change or falter. And when I say God I refer to the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Prayer O God, how patient and gracious You have been with me. I want to hide in You.

Thought The Triune God is compassionate, gracious, abounding in love and faithfulness. He is slow to anger but He does become angry with sin and He is a God of judgment. Let's flee to Him rather than from Him!

Used with Permission