God’s anger is brief toward His children but is eternal toward his enemies. Sinners must run to this merciful God, cast all of their sins upon Jesus, and seek forgiveness. Spurgeon said it rightly: “Above the mountains of our sins the floods of his mercy rise.”

Answer:

God’s anger upon his children is temporary, while His wrath up His enemies will carry on forever.

Problem:

Some passages say God’s anger lasts but for a moment, while other Scriptures teach God’s wrath is eternal.

Explanation:

The nature, intensity, and extent of God’s wrath differs depending on which of His two audiences He is addressing. In the first case, God limits His anger towards His children, whom He loves. Psalm 30:5 illustrates this: “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Plagues came on Jerusalem because of King David’s sins. But once repentance followed, God’s wrath was brief because He is merciful and slow to anger. Saints of old often spoke of God’s judgment in terms of a rod, a switch God uses to discipline His children the way a father would his son. But when his boy sheds a tear and asks for pardon, the father embraces him. Thus, Spurgeon could say: “God puts up his rod with great readiness as soon as its work is done.”

God told His people: “I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever” (Jer. 3:12). He will show mercy to those that repent. He will not frown on the forgiven. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever” (Ps. 103:8).

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