Everyday 20: Slow to Anger

God’s divine nature is characterized by being "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness," as declared in Exodus 34:6-7 and reiterated in Psalm 103:8-14. This means that when facing evil and wrongdoing, God does not react with impulsive rage but rather with deliberate patience. His slowness to anger is a fundamental aspect of His character, demonstrating His boundless compassion and unwavering love.
This patience is not a sign of weakness or apathy on God's part but is intricately linked to His justice. It reveals that His anger is a holy, final response to evil. As Psalm 103:8-14 explains, He is compassionate, much like a father shows compassion to his children, and mindful that humans are but dust. Therefore, His slowness to anger functions as a merciful provision, creating space and time for humanity to turn from sin. Romans 2:4 highlights this purpose, stating that "God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance." This clearly shows that divine kindness, forbearance, and patience are extended with the express intention of bringing about a change of heart. God holds His justice and mercy in perfect balance, actively calling people to life in Christ before His final verdict is rendered.
Therefore, understand that God’s patience toward evil is an expression of His justice, not a contradiction of it. His righteous opposition to all that damages His creation allows time for us to acknowledge our wrongdoing and turn to Him. This understanding should inspire us to embrace the repentance His kindness offers, recognizing the profound gift of grace in His deliberate slowness to anger. It assures us that we are met with an opportunity for reconciliation, rather than immediate condemnation, because of His abounding steadfast love.