Mercy in the Midst of Righteous Anger

Mercy in the Midst of Righteous Anger"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."
—Psalm 32:1
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 32 – The joy of forgiveness after acknowledging sin.
Exodus 32:7-14 – God’s righteous anger at Israel’s corruption, and Moses' plea for mercy.
Luke 15:1-10 – The rejoicing in heaven over a sinner who repents
It is unsettling to think of God as being angry with us. Many prefer to imagine God as endlessly patient and indulgent. But Exodus 32 shatters this illusion. The Israelites, freshly delivered from Egypt, turn to idolatry—worshiping a golden calf they crafted with their own hands. God sees their corruption and declares His intent to destroy them.
Why does God become angry? Because sin is not just a mistake—it is a betrayal. The people who had seen God's miracles, who had heard God's voice from Mount Sinai, quickly replaced God with a lifeless image. Their corruption was both spiritual and moral: they abandoned God for something easier, something they could control.
This isn’t just an ancient story—it happens today. Corruption takes many forms: corporate greed, political deception, the abuse of power, the exploitation of the vulnerable. Consider the recent financial scandals where those entrusted with people’s livelihoods manipulated systems for personal gain, leaving thousands jobless and hopeless. Like the Israelites, humanity consistently chooses idols—money, power, comfort—over the living God.
Yet, in this moment of righteous anger, Moses does something extraordinary—he argues with God. He reminds God of God's promises, pleading for mercy. Why? Because Moses understands that while God is just, God is also merciful. This is the tension we live in: we deserve wrath, yet God, in God's love, continually invites us to repentance.
Paul, in his letters, warns that we must never take God's mercy for granted. In Romans 2:4, he writes:
"Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
When God has every right to be angry, Paul tells us to respond not with defiance, but with repentance. We are to turn back, just as the prodigal son in Luke 15 was welcomed home despite his failures.
C.S. Lewis reminds us:
“We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved; we are rebels who must lay down our arms.”
Lent is our invitation to lay down our arms. To stop excusing our idols and corruption. To turn from what is easy and false and seek the One who is holy and true.

Lenten PrayerMerciful God,
You have every right to be angry with our corruption, yet You call us back to You. Forgive our idolatry, our greed, and our failure to trust You. Help us to respond as Moses did—not by hiding from Your justice, but by pleading for mercy and turning back to You. May we, like the lost sheep in Your parable, be found and restored by Your grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.