Slow to Anger

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. ~ Psalm 86:15

Recently I read a story about how Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told a group of people that he was certain Senate Candidate James Talarico was going to hell.

It certainly stopped me in my tracks.

The first problem of Patrick's statement of course is that God, not Dan Patrick, is the judge of about final punishment or reward for any person. There's the whole big issue of trying to subvert that. (plus there's the issue of Talarico quoting Jesus quite a bit).

But the Psalmist reminds that there's another issue: God is slow to anger. Slower than it seems Dan Patrick is.

Certainly slower than I am!

Well, I am slower than I used to be. But I still can get triggered by things like injustice, cruelty, mockery, and lies. (even though I have to admit there are times in my life I've been guilty of one or more of those things).

So it is easy for me to think of all the ways God must be furious at how we treat each other and God's good creation.

It's easy maybe even to see why so many jump so easily to the idea God's anger and retribution to sin. Maybe it's easier for Dan Patrick to think God is angry at the things Dan Patrick is angry about.

But God is slow to anger. This Psalmist isn't the only one to tell us that.

God's anger is contained within God's love. God's love infuses God's anger.

And despite God's anger, God remains faithful.

There is much to be angry at now. Injustice and cruelty abound.

But God's love and faithfulness abound even more, no matter how angry we get.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, your love, and your faithfulness. Amen