You, Yourself, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah. (Psalm 76:7-9)
There is a belief in Judaism that when the earth is manifesting turmoil and violence, it is an indication that the world’s population is rejecting God’s Word, which is the foundation of all creation. Man’s tendency is to turn away from the very thing, and the very One, who is the source and sustainer of the life we hold so precious. The Bible makes it clear that this unfortunate situation will continue unabated until that time when God causes His judgment to be heard from heaven. Then the earth and all who dwell in it will recognize His sovereignty and be still, realizing that He alone is God!
As the psalmist rightly notes, there is no one who can stand proud and erect when the Lord of Hosts is moved to anger and motivated to take action. Indeed, no nation in the history of mankind has been able to withstand God’s anger if He is determined to humble that nation. Some, in fact, have ceased to exist never to rise again. Even Israel, in its history, has felt the sting of God’s displeasure and the pain of His justice with this caveat — His anger toward His people is always calibrated to correct and promote repentance. Still, when God is angry, there is no one who is able to stand defiant before Him, at least not for very long.
This notion brings to mind the Scripture that says, “no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29). Even those who served Him in the Sanctuary could not stand to minister when His Presence filled the House. So the point is, as His people, we should never lose sight of the fact that, even though He is our Abba, He is also our King and Master. Therefore, may we never be the ones to spur Him to anger but to favor and mercy. As it is written, “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” (Psalm 130:3-5).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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