A person who is quick to be offended, quick to cry, or quick to get angry often tends to also be quick to forget offenses, quick to rejoice, or quick to laugh. But a person who is slow to be offended—someone who harbors anger, sadness, or bitterness for a long time—will also take a long time to calm down once truly upset.
Consider, for example, a small child. If you watch one for a day, you might see them cry five or six times over small, seemingly insignificant things. But that same child soon forgets and resumes playing, as if nothing ever happened. Now think about an adult. They may not shed tears easily, but when they do, it is usually over something very serious—perhaps a great loss or deep hurt—and it may take months or even years for that pain to fully heal.
Similarly, the Bible reveals much about our Heavenly God whom we worship daily. He is patient, full of mercy, humble, gracious, and slow to anger. He does not lose His temper quickly. We see this clearly when we observe the world around us: people walking around shamelessly, openly blaspheming God, committing brutal acts of violence, harming the innocent, and yet God remains silent. We wonder: does God not see? Why doesn’t He intervene? If you or I were God, surely no one would be spared; we would have destroyed all wrongdoers long ago. But God is not like us.
Scripture tells us:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some understand slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
This verse highlights God’s divine patience, which stems from His desire for repentance and salvation rather than immediate judgment. His “slowness” is an expression of mercy, allowing people time to turn from sin.
Also,
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” —Psalm 103:8 (ESV)
The Hebrew word for “slow to anger” (אַ֥רְכַּ֗ת אַפַּ֥יִם, ’arek appayim) conveys God’s long-suffering nature—He endures human failings without hastily executing wrath.
David testifies similarly:
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” —Psalm 145:8 (ESV)
This attribute is fundamental to God’s character: His grace (unmerited favor) and steadfast love (hesed, covenant faithfulness) are extended toward sinners, giving them opportunity to repent.
Even the prophet Jonah and the leader Nehemiah acknowledged this nature of God’s patience.
While God is patient, His mercy has limits. The Bible clearly teaches that judgment will come upon those who persist in sin and reject repentance.
The day when God’s wrath will be fully unleashed is called “The Day of the Lord.” This is a future time when God will execute righteous judgment on the wicked and purge the earth of sin.
Jesus Christ himself referred to the days of Noah and Lot as examples of what the end times will be like, characterized by unexpected destruction due to persistent wickedness.
The prophet Joel warned:
“For the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, a day of clouds, a great day! The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars will withdraw their shining.” —Joel 2:1-2 (ESV)
This cosmic imagery symbolizes God’s powerful intervention in history—darkening of the heavens represents divine judgment and upheaval.
Isaiah vividly describes this day:
“Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. … The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will withdraw their shining.” —Isaiah 13:6-10 (ESV)
The Book of Revelation details the final outpouring of God’s wrath through seven bowls (or vials) of judgment poured out on the earth.
Revelation 16 describes these plagues, which include:
“Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” —Revelation 16:17 (ESV)
This marks the completion of God’s judgment and the final defeat of evil.
The Bible urges repentance today because God’s patience will not last forever:
“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
Salvation is found only through Jesus Christ:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” —John 14:6 (ESV)
Those who reject Christ will face the “second death” described in Revelation—the eternal lake of fire reserved for the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and all who refuse God’s offer of salvation.
God’s mercy is immense, but His holiness demands judgment on sin. The Day of the Lord’s wrath is coming—will you be ready?
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” —Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV)
Repent today, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Salvation is the only refuge from the coming judgment.
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