“He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.” (Psalm 103:9 NKJV)
“You don’t look at us only to find our faults, just so that you can hold a grudge against us.” (Psalm 103:9 TPT)
“He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.” (Psalm 103:9 NLT)
“He will not always strive with us, nor will he keep His anger forever.” (Psalm 103:9 AMP)
“He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.” (Psalm 103:9 HCSB)
“Because He does nor harbor ill will to eternity and will not keep his wrath to eternity.” (Psalm 103:9 ABIPE)
David wrote Psalm 103 during a period of time in which religion has depicted God as being angry and full of wrath due to the depraved condition of the human race. We have painted a picture of the Creator as a vengeful God primed and ready to pour out His wrath on those that He created. Yet, in verse 8 I found out that He is quick to be merciful, full of grace, and slow to get angry. Now in verse 9 I am told that if he does have reason to be angry, or operate in wrath, it is only for a moment.
My Daddy looks at me through eyes of love and compassion. Romans 5:8 sheds some light on this. It states, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” He chose me when I was rejecting Him.
The Creator of the universe did not look upon His creation and discover a race of people that were seeking Him. He did not find Himself moved by compassion toward me because I somehow deserved it. No, He was moved with compassion because He has always loved me unconditionally and has always intended to spend eternity with me. 2 Peter 3:9 makes this very clear, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Here is a mind blowing promise, “I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not judge it.” And finally, 2 Corinthians 5:19, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” My Daddy was never mad at me. He has always been chasing me down in order to restore our relationship and lavish me with His lovingkindness. He is not easily provoked and is quick to forgive.
Thank you Daddy! I will never forget…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 236: Kingdom Living (Psalm 103) Part 10 – Verse 9