BECAUSE GOD IS GOD, THEN ~

I will not execute my fierce anger.  I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst.  Hosea 11:9

    God stood on the brink of executing judgment.  When He looked upon His people, His heart was filled with waves of love.  He controlled His anger instead of executing it.  It’s as if He couldn’t stand the thought of the pain they would experience.  He explains the reason for such holy restraint.  He is God and not man.

Because God is God ~

• He did not leave me to die in my sins without any chance of being saved.  He sent a Savior, even though it meant sending His Son for sacrifice.
• He is not sending me to eternal judgment, even though I deserve it.  He has credited all my sins to His Son’s account, the Son He loves. How humbling.
• He forgave me for every wrong thing I did yesterday, and I start today with a white robe around my shoulders.
• He does not keep a record of my wrongs, even though they are substantial.  He chooses to put them behind His back and never say, “Remember what you did?”

I am called to be like Him.  I am His image bearer.  Since I am God’s child, then His nature is to be formed in me.

Because I belong to God ~

• I can restrain my anger today and redirect with love and good deeds.
• I can withhold what someone deserves and give grace instead.
• I can suspend making a list of wrongs done against me and offer someone a clean slate in its place.
• I can pray for my accuser instead of delivering a pointed speech.

For any bent toward anger and revenge, which characterizes the human race, today’s scripture can be applied this way.  “I will not execute my fierce anger.  I belong to God, not any other man.  He is the Holy One in my midst.”  Restraint, prudence, purification and redirection.  These are the hallmarks of a child of God.

I am yours.  I make different choices as I live by your Spirit.  Amen