Psalm 28 David's understanding of God's wrath

To you, O Lord, I call;

my rock, be not deaf to me,

lest, if you be silent to me,

I become like those who go down to the pit.

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to you for help,

when I lift up my hands

toward your most holy sanctuary.
Do not drag me off with the wicked,

with the workers of evil,

who speak peace with their neighbors

while evil is in their hearts.

Give to them according to their work

and according to the evil of their deeds;

give to them according to the work of their hands;

render them their due reward.

Because they do not regard the works of the Lord

or the work of his hands,

he will tear them down and build them up no more.
(Psalm 28:1-5 ESV)

Often times I have a hard time reading about David or the prophets proclamations of condemnation or punishment on others. Part of that may be the New Testament understanding of our role as humans not to judge.

But I think we have taken it too far and I have taken it too far. Sometimes I am so careful to be loving of the person that I condone sin. God never changed his mind on what is sin. Sin is destruction and it is evil. The consequences of sin are death. Jesus certainly loved the sinners but he despised the sins of people from pride to greed to lust. Jesus condemned the sins of people and called them to repent and turn towards what is right. Perhaps we see how easy it was for Jesus to rebuke and call others to repentance and when we find it to be much harder we give up.

But in this week before Easter I am reminded of our great sin. We are all sinners. I am a great sinner. My pride, selfishness, foolishness, lust, and failings in leadership that lead others to sin are great sins deserving of death. Yet we have a savior who already died for us on a cross. God remind me of my sinful nature and by your Holy Spirit convict me of sin, that I would feel a spiritual sorrow leading to repentance and redemption.

Thank you God for sending your Son.
Thank you Jesus for your incarnation all life and death on a cross for us.
God hep me to understand sin and your wrath that I might better understand your love and mercy and salvation.
Amen