But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?
Psalm 76:7 (ESV)
Your anger, LORD, that is something I do not want to experience for two main reasons. One, it’s scary. I am literally afraid for You to be mad at me. I am afraid of Your rebuke. Like I was afraid to get a spanking from my dad, I am afraid to get one from You. Yet, that fear is tempered by the reality that I know You love me and only want the best for me. And like when my dad spanked me, the pain is not viewed as cruelty but care.
This leads to the second and real reason I do not want to experience Your anger. It is because I love You back and want to please You. Like that little puppy dog who wants to do everything it can to put a smile on its master’s face, I want to do everything I can to put one on Yours. But unlike the pet, I don’t do it to earn Your favor. I do it because You have given me Your favor. It is my show of gratitude. And anytime that I am not pleasing You it strikes at the heart of me and tears me apart. I want to make You smile!
So today, show me the error of my ways. If You must discipline me, have Your way and show me how I can correct my footsteps. But most importantly, show me throughout this day what I can do to put a smile on Your face because it is my aim to please You. I love You, Father, and thank You for loving me! Amen!