22 Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

— Lamentations 3:22-23

10 Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

11 The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?

— Joel 2:10-11

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them; In the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.

— Zephaniah 1:18

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

— 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

God’s steadfast character steadies us as we live in a world awaiting God’s judgment. When we see God’s seemingly violent judgment on real people, we probably don’t know how to process it. Where can we find comfort that God is both just and merciful? Satan blinds people to the danger of choosing to live without God and to continuously doubt God’s existence. Yet the gospel of Christ reveals God’s love toward sinners. He sent His Son to suffer the penalty for human’s sin. All who place their trust in Him are saved from the coming wrath and are secure in the Father’s loving care.

The demonic army wielding terrible pain on earth presents a frightening scene. How can such evil forces participate in God’s righteous judgment? Satan’s forces promote evil and wickedness that violate everything God upholds. While God remains entirely separate from everything that sin and evil perpetuate, the force of evil are permitted to operate within the bound of God’s ultimate control. Satan’s actions, nevertheless, are limited by God and never defeat His purposes. As believers, we recognize Satan’s destructive hold on this world while we set our eyes on God’s overcoming triumph. God’s power over evil truly offers us comfort. In mercy, God still holds back His final judgment to give people time and opportunity to believe in Jesus, the Lamb of salvation. God still acts in lavish grace toward everyone who comes to Him!