rescued from wrath

Seeing through these first few bits of Romans that joy is to be found in the study of Scripture, and that as that joy grows in this study that we then feel compelled to proclaim the truths found in Scripture, and that through this proclamation, our joy grows further, and that through this proclaimed truth of the gospel, faith is created, strengthened, re-kindled, and emboldened, leading into and throughout the creation of new life, and that bearing witness to this process further deepens joy... we come today to the balance of that joy. We start to see today why we have such joy:

Romans 1:18-20 ESV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Wrath: God's righteous anger, which stands in direct opposition to all unrighteousness

Unrighteousness of men: the suppression of the revealed power and nature of God throughout all of creation

Without excuse: ignorance of the eternal power and divine nature of God is not an excusable offense, rather it is the eternal mark of damnation secondary to the fall, and present on each of us

Meditation: For those who have been gifted an awakening of their eyes, hearts, and minds to the revealed truth of God, we see creation differently than those who live in darkness. We are called to shine our grace-given light into this darkness that others may see beyond the suppression of the world, which causes blindness to the glory revealed in all things created. Suffering under the eternal wrath of God is at stake, and the joy and peace found in the rescue from this fate is a deep drink from the sweet waters of of Father's fountain of grace. Our joy is magnified by the reality of our rescue from a fate we were owed, our price paid and our portion of wrath poured out into the cup consumed by Christ.