Psalm 2 - Wrath and Mercy

Often the bible speaks of God's patience and long suffering. He is slow to anger. (Exodus 34:6) God is described as such at least nine times in Old Testament. But other passages depict God as quick to anger like this passage from Psalm 2.

Psalm 2:10-12 NIV

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

There's always a tension between the merciful and wrathful images of God. Wrath has to do with a desire for justice, ending wrong doing. Mercy has to do with forgiveness, continuing to invest in relationships. Jesus was clear that mercy triumphs over judgement. His own brother said so. (James 2:13)

How do you live within the tension of the wrath of God and the mercy of God?

The old hymn says "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus..." Trust in the love of God and obey God's good and perfect will