"I WILL HEAL THEIR BACKSLIDING, I WILL LOVE THEM FREELY." Israel was returning to the God of his salvation, and the Lord was angry no more. God is angry with the wicked every day. His anger against them is judicial, roused by their sin. It is fearful. It was displayed in the Flood, more clearly in Gethsemane and Calvary. Hell is the eternal manifestation of God's just anger against sin. He is sometimes angry with His people. His anger against them is paternal, roused by the conduct of His child. He is angry because He loves. His love to the person rouses His displeasure against the conduct. He shows His displeasure by afflictions, privations, and distresses. But His paternal anger is only for a moment. He chastens His child and is angry because he is obstinate: but as soon as he repents, mourns at His feet, confesses his sin, appeals to His mercy, and pleads the atonement, frown gives place to smile, and He kindly says, "Mine anger is turned away from him. I will restore the wanderer to his former place, privileges, and honours. I will love him as though nothing had happened, his sin shall only be remembered by himself." Sweet thought to lie down with tonight, "The anger of God is turned away and He loves me."

For Meditation:
Though His righteous anger rises,
Anger in a moment dies;
Mercy still His heart devises,
Life within His favour lies.