Slow To Anger

Slow To Anger

"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6

These are words that God used when describing Himself to Moses. "Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness"- Is this how you think of God? Or do you think of God as a distant Father who simply exists to judge us for our sins?

I believe that many of us know that God loves us. We have heard that all of our lives. But I wonder, do we fully understand the character of God and His ability to give us all that we have ever wanted or needed in our lives?

One of the phrases in this verse that speaks to me the most is when God refers to Himself as being "slow to anger." I've got to say that I am not always slow to anger. In fact, I can go from zero to hysterical in a matter of seconds. Even with the people I love the most, I can become angry and frustrated quickly if I do not seek God in all situations.

I think that so often we try to assume that God reacts the same way that we do to situations. When we do something that is disappointing or hurtful to God, we are afraid that He is angry or upset with our choices or behavior. While I do believe that God's heart breaks when we sin and choose the ways of this world, I also know that He is faithful. If He says that He is slow to anger, He means it. He didn't say, "I am slow to anger unless you do something really bad" or "I will be compassionate and gracious if you read the Bible at least once a day."

Instead, God is describing his character. It is His nature to be loving, faithful, forgiving, and gracious to those of us that don't even deserve a glance from Him. He is in love with us and wants to show us His amazing love and compassion. However, in order for Him to do that, we must be willing to run after Him with all of our hearts.

Don't think of God as a distant Father that stands in Heaven waiting to judge you. Instead, realize that He is the father that you have waited for all of your life, who stands in Heaving waiting to love you and bring you peace. He is the Savior who came to save your life and offer you more compassion and grace that you could ever imagine. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.

As you go through your day today, ask God to reveal His character to you. Ask Him to remind you that He is faithful and true in a world that is anything but. Pursue Him each and every day and know that in return, He will be pursuing you.

Words of Worth:

"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." Exodus 34:6

"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Numbers 14:18

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

Some Things to Think About:

1. What are three words you would use to describe the heart of God?

2. Does your character match up with God's character?

3. Do you believe that God is slow to anger?