Mine Anger Is Turned Away From Him

 

Evening Devotion 

DECEMBER 13

 

…mine anger is turned away from him.

Hosea 14:4

 
God has been angry.
 
He is angry with the wicked every day.
 
His anger against them is judicial, roused by their sin.
 
It is fearful.
 
It was displayed in the flood, more clearly in Gethsemane and Calvary.
 
Hell is the external manifestation of God’s just anger against sin.
 
He is sometimes angry with his people.
 
His anger against them is paternal, roused by the conduct of his child.
 
He is angry because he loves.
 
His love to the person rouses his displeasure against the conduct.
 
He shows his displeasure by afflictions—privations—and distresses.
 
But his paternal anger is monetary.
 
He chastens his child, and is angry because it is obstinate: but as soon as it relents, mourns at his feet, confesses its sin, appeals to his mercy, and pleads to atonement, the frown gives place to a smile, and he kindly says,
 
 “Mine anger is turned away from him.
 
I will restore the wanderer to his former place, privileges, and honours.
 
I will love him as though nothing had happened; his sin shall only be remembered by himself.”
 
Sweet thought to lie down to-night,
 
“The anger of God is turned away and he loves me.”
 

Though his righteous anger rises,

Anger in a moment dies;

Mercy still his heart devises,

Life within his favour lies.

 

James Smith