What does "withdrew all Your fury" teach about God's character? Setting the Scene “You withdrew all Your fury; You turned from Your blazing anger.” – Psalm 85:3 What God’s Action Reveals • Total restraint: God possesses absolute authority over His emotions; wrath never runs on autopilot. • Conscious decision: “You withdrew” shows purposeful choice, not mere cooling off. • Complete reversal: “all Your fury” indicates nothing left smoldering—full cessation, not partial throttling. God’s Self-Control and Sovereignty • Psalm 103:8 – “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger.” • Nahum 1:3 – “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power.” These verses confirm that divine power includes the power to pause judgment. Mercy Rooted in Covenant Love • Exodus 34:6-7 presents the LORD’s name itself as “abounding in loving devotion,” explaining why He would pull back anger. • Lamentations 3:22 – “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed.” The withdrawal of fury springs from steadfast love, not human merit. Justice Fully Satisfied, Yet Mercy Fully Extended • Isaiah 12:1 celebrates this same pattern: “Though You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away.” • At the cross (Romans 3:25-26), God’s wrath fell on Christ so He could justly remove it from repentant sinners. Lessons for Today • His anger is real but never capricious. • When He chooses to withdraw it, He does so completely. • Believers can appeal to His proven character, confident He delights in restoring favor (Psalm 30:5). God’s action in Psalm 85:3 paints a portrait of a sovereign, self-controlled, covenant-keeping Lord whose mercy triumphs without compromising justice. |
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