Can We Thank God For His Anger?

This is an important question. One that reveals a lot about who we are. Can we thank God for his anger?

Many cannot. They see God's anger as an inconvenienct to the life they want to lead. They want a God who is only nice and kind and never places a demand upon them of faithful obedience. This sort of "god" is one of their own making - a nice thought, like a guardian angel or spiritual advisor. But this is NOT the God of heaven. He will not let His people act unrighteously without warning and punishment. The reason God's people can be thankful for His anger is that His anger is perfectly measured, just and most important - soul-saving!

Finishing off the Isaiah 6-12 section, the prophet closes with a song of praise for God's judgment executed swiftly on the nation that disobeyed. 
Isaiah 12:1 (ESV) You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.

You CAN give God thanks for His anger. Why? Because sin never delivers on its promises. Sin offers what it cannot supply. Sin puts you on the throne and you are a horrible king. God loves His people enough to draw them back from the years of justified discipline.

Isaiah reminds the people further:
Isaiah 12:2 (ESV) “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

When God disciplines us, He does so to remove our false trusts and hopes. The vain idols we turn to for protection fail! For this reason, we can be thankful that He will not let us gain ground trusting those shifting sands on which we may be tempted to build our lives. 

Moreover, Isaiah describes a people not simply thankful but rejoicing in God's work toward them. Why? Because in finding in Him alone our salvation we find there is a well of water waiting for us. 

Isaiah 12:3–4 (ESV) With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.

The people will sing exuberantly of the work of the Lord:
Isaiah 12:5-6 (ESV) “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. 6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

What a picture of a true relationship with the Lord. You're thankful and worshipful when He doesn't let you wander. This, of course, is not the natural picture most have when it comes to His judgments and wrath. But any true relationship requires anger at events that cause harm to those we love. A father is angered by his child's disobedience which may lead to harm. A spouse is angered by a flirting tendency in their beloved. Anger is a necessary part of healthy and committed relationships. 

You can be thankful and praiseful toward God for His unwillingness to share you with the idols of this age. His discipline toward you is the surest sign you belong to Him!

Hebrews 12:6 (ESV) For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”


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