Psalms 39:7 NIV
[7] “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
We always quote this verse as something happy, but in truth David was in agony before God when he wrote it. He begged God to show him his life’s end, he prayed that God would turn His face from him so his suffering would end. This was not a happy prayer.
Yet in the midst of all of that David reminded God that He was all David longed for, the only one whom he could rely on.
We all have days when we fear that we have made God mad. We like to think He never punishes us, but He does. Probably most of the hurt that happens in life is not a direct rebuke from God, but it sometimes is. I remember the one time I was mad about something that someone did and was complaining loudly to my mom about it, I felt I should stop but didn’t, then my hand closed on a wasp. Perhaps it was something else, but it looked like a wasp. I used to train horses so pain and I know each other well, and it’s no exaggeration to say this was one of the worst pains I have ever had. It lasted for several days. I really should have seen a doctor. I try to remember that day, because I fail God often and I never want to be rebuked or punished by Him.
Yet in the midst of our suffering, even if we are being reprimanded, we can run to Him and He will love us and save us, even from His own anger.
Take away:
Like a child who is bad and is punished, who then turns to their father and reaches up their arms and is swept up into a big safe hug; we too can turn to God, even when we are sure what we are going through is direct punishment for something we’ve done. He will still take us in His arms and love us.
A Father’s anger does not take away His love.
Carried in the cross 