From Anger to Favour: The God Who Restores

“For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favour lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.” (Psalm 30:11-12).

Wailing is crying out of pain, grief, or anger. In the Bible, sackcloth was a rough, coarse fabric, usually made from goat or camel hair, and worn during times of deep mourning, repentance, or distress. It was often accompanied by ashes on the head, serving as a visible demonstration of humility, grief, or a plea for God's favour.

God’s anger is very different from human anger. Unlike people, God is full of self-control. When He becomes angry, there is always a righteous reason. Throughout Scripture, we read of times when people's sins made God angry, especially when sin became a continuous lifestyle, even after many warnings to repent. His anger is always against ungodliness. Scripture makes this clear:

• “Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.” (Exodus 32:10)

• “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays His wrath every day.” (Psalm 7:11)

• “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people.” (Romans 1:18)

• “The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.” (Isaiah 59:15)

  
  

God’s wrath is righteous, holy, and directed towards sin, injustice, and disobedience.

But the question is: how should people respond to God’s anger? The answer is to approach Him with repentance and humility. His anger lasts only a moment, but His mercy and favour are everlasting. When we sincerely repent, He forgives, because He searches the heart and knows its true condition. As David prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24).

When we repent, we experience God’s favour, and He restores us to being right with Him. David’s declaration, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5), reminds us that sorrow, hardship, or grief are temporary. The “night” represents dark seasons when nothing seems to work, but those seasons are not permanent. In those moments, we are called to reach out to God for divine intervention.

God’s light breaks through our darkness and brings joy. This light is not just a change in circumstances; it is the presence of God Himself.

When His light shines, we are no longer burdened by despair or sorrow. Instead, He exchanges our heavy loads for His own, which is easy and light to carry. Jesus gave these words in Matthew 11:28-30:“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” As Paul reminds us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

Even in His anger, God’s love remains. He disciplines to correct, not to destroy. He will never allow us to remain in sin without allowing us to change. That is why David could also say, “You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11). God does not just remove our sorrow; He replaces it with joy.

Therefore, let us pursue God wholeheartedly, just as He pursues us. Let us not allow guilt, shame, or false grief to keep us from approaching Him. He is approachable, merciful, and full of love.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us with this truth:

“Since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16).

This is the heart of the gospel: God’s anger lasts only for a moment, but His favour lasts a lifetime. His discipline is temporary, but His joy is eternal. His light shines in our darkest nights and restores us to the fullness of His presence.