When Jean Brandt was 13, she was arrested, handcuffed, and taken to jail for shoplifting a 75-cent button. She was terrified when it came time to make the phone call to her parents. She explained to her dad and mom what had happened and then said brokenly, "I'm sorry." "Sorry isn't enough," her mom replied. "I'm disappointed in you."

After what seemed like an eternity, her parents arrived to take her home. Feeling remorseful about the pain she had caused them, Jean braced herself for angry words and harsh punishment. She got neither. Her father said, "I'm not going to punish you. What you did was wrong, but I think you've been punished enough already."

When God becomes angry with us for our sin, it's always justified and His punishment is always fair. Yet the Bible tells us, "His anger is but for a moment" (Ps. 30:5). When we repent, He forgives us and doesn't bring it up against us again (Jer. 31:34; 1 Jn. 1:9).

What about you? Have you been afraid to call out to your heavenly Father and confess your sin to Him? Or do you think He's angry with you even though you've asked for His forgiveness? Read Psalm 30:1-5 again and believe it. God's anger doesn't last, but His love does.  — David C. Egner