God's Favour Is For Life

"Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. ⁵ For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:4-5

One attribute of God I find comforting is His immutability, the fact He does not change.  This means God is glorious and good now and forever, and He will always stay true to His word.  What security and rest we have by faith in our Creator who always loves us without fail.  His grace, mercy and goodness have no end.  David urged all to sing praise to the LORD and to give thanks, and He is our sole source of joy and life.

Though God is eternal and all His attributes infinite, His "anger is but for a moment."  The God who is infinite in power has set divine limits upon His anger.  The redeemed of the LORD praise God for this!  Those who die in their sins will face His wrath forever and ever, yet for those who trust in Jesus Christ God's anger has an end.  Our lives on earth are compared to a breath or a vapour that quickly disappears, and God's anger is temporal and quickly passes away as well.  No matter how long or dark the night seems, children of God by the power of the Gospel are assured of a joyous day approaching where there shall no longer be death, tears or night:  only light, love and joy in God's presence.

Imagine if God's anger burned forever!  Imagine if His love, forgiveness, life and joy were only for a moment!  If this was the case, it would be good never having been born.  For all who have been born again by faith in Jesus, His anger is but for a moment.  When God judged Israel for their sin when David numbered the people, in a matter of days God said to the angel who destroyed, "It is enough.  Put your sword back in the sheath."  Not once has God said this concerning freely giving His love and grace towards sinful flesh.  Grief and sorrow that accompany this life are temporary, but His favour is for an abundant life through Jesus that goes on and on without intermission.

It is a rare thing to sing songs to someone except on their birthday, yet it is always fitting to direct songs of praise to God who puts new life and joy into our hearts by His everlasting grace and love.  Give thanks at the memory of God's holy name, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.