Just Exactly Who Is In Charge Here?

THE WRATH OF MAN

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." -Psalm 76:10 [KJV]

Let men and devils rage as they will, even the wrath and hatred of the rebel will serve the greater glory of the Almighty God (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11). When in their wicked hatred for Jesus Christ they crucified Him, they were unknowingly fulfilling the divine purpose of God. "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done" (Acts 4:25-27).

Even the most furious and frantic evil is under the control of our sovereign LORD (see Isaiah 45:5-8). But what shall become of the wrath that is left? God shall restrain it, "the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." The excess of the man's wrath that does not serve God's sovereign purpose shall be suppressed and muzzled, like a dog on a chain and a lion in a cage. Thank God for His restraining and governing grace (see Isaiah 14:26-27; Job 23:13-14).

-Tom Harding

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