A Hard Heart Calls for Wrath

Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

No sensible person would ever ask to be on the receiving end of the wrath of God. The thought is completely illogical! Yet, this scenario takes place every day in the lives of those who live with hardened hearts toward the things of God. The Bible affirms that a humble spirit begs God's attention and brings His corresponding blessings (Isaiah 66:2). Contrariwise, a hard heart also garners God's attention but for judgment rather than blessing. Today's passage points out that the hard heart treasures up wrath against itself. This wrath rarely takes place immediately, but it will come in the “day of wrath.” It is important to recall that hardness of heart brought the plagues upon Egypt and it brought blindness to the Jews in Jesus' day. Ultimately, it will bring eternal damnation in the lake of fire to all those who fail to accept God's payment for sin.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God gave Nebuchadnezzar a year to change his ways. He refused so God brought judgment upon him (Daniel 5:20-21). Belshazzar too hardened his heart even though he knew what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar. It comes as no surprise when we read of God's judgment upon him also (Daniel 5:22-30).

• (For everyone): Do you want to be on the receiving end of God’s judgment or His blessings? Do you want to treasure up the wrath of God or experience the goodness of God? Your only hope is to humble yourself before the Almighty.

• Do you want God’s attention? How do you hope to get His attention? There is a right and a wrong way. Do you seek His attention and blessing through a contrite spirit? Or do you seek his attention and rebuke through a heart hardened by sin?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to give you a broken and contrite spirit.

• Ask the Lord to keep you from His wrath.

SONG: Just As I Am

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Tenderheartedness