The wrath of God is not worked by the righteousness of man. No, I’m not dyslexic. This is a contrasting reference to the common verse which tells us the opposite, James 1:20. There is a lie which states that our holy living will produce in God the wrath he is seeking to pour out on others. As if, by divine contrast, God peers at man seeking the brightest light as proof that the darkest shadow needs rebuke. This is in error, for the brightest light that man can produce is still darkness, our greatest righteousnesses are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Instead we are invited into intercession. That our proximity to God and subsequent holiness would rather invoke the pouring out of God’s love on those who disobey. We are quick to encourage God’s vengeance, but praise be to God for being merciful to me, a sinner. (Luke 18:13) There are many who wander in sin and lawlessness who wax closer and closer to grace, yet our calls and expectations for wrath demand vengeance from the God who would show love as a Heavenly Father. Our Father has many facets of his nature and can reveal himself in those facets in accordance with a situation. (God revealed only His goodness – just one part of himself – to Moses. Exodus 33:19) Moses is perhaps the best example of this type of intercession, instead of encouraging and stoking God’s anger, he appealed to the grace and mercy asking God to pour it out on His people. (Exodus 33) God is Holy and Just. Those two aspects of his nature demand judgment in the face of evil, however, he is also loving, kind, gracious, and merciful. Our Heavenly Father is not willing that any should perish, (2 Peter 3:9) and is therefore looking (Ezekiel 22:30) for a child of his who will partner with Him in prayer, responding in love to the evil in the world, and seek God’s mercy on behalf of evildoers – individuals, cities, and nations. 

TWO CALLS TO PRAYER

Maybe as you have read, you have found conviction: reminders of times you did not seek love on behalf of another. Jesus is quick to forgive! Simply take a moment right now and repent as the Lord leads. (1 John 1:9)

Join with me in seeking God’s love over our families, friends, neighbors, cities, and nations. Fill in the blanks below to fit your situation. 

Heavenly Father, I praise you for being just, pure, and holy. You make no mistake and your judgments are always right. Your ways are past finding out. I come before you on the merit of your son Jesus whose death, burial, and resurrection paid the sacrifice for my sin through his shed blood. Father, your sacrifice proves that you are love. You are the express embodiment of love and I only know love because I know you. (Take a moment to read and meditate on 1 John 4:7-21) Father, I bring before you the over 8 billion people on this planet who need to experience your love afresh today. I specifically name my family: ___________, my friends: ____________, my neighbors: __________, the other christians in my community: ____________, and my ruling officials: __________ and ask for your love to be made abundant this day. Please shower them in your love so that they will know you deeper. I claim your love over the people in my city, _____________, and my nation, _____________ and ask you to pour out your grace, mercy, and love upon us today. May everyone know that I am your disciple through the love that I show to those around me. (John 13:35)

**Disclaimer** 

I often reference specific passages of scripture while I am writing, these references regularly follow a summation of a thought or a paraphrase of a verse. They are not intended to be quotes as such. I simply record the words and phrases the Lord brings to my mind and include references to passages he seemed to compare them to or remind me of in that vein of thought.