06/29/2020
Bring angry is alright, but in it, we need to maintain our calm, and a sense of sober-mindedness; not allowing it to control us or lure us into Satan’s clutches. There is a particular scripture that I like to consider when I am being taunted, or baited into striking out. This verse tells us to do something we have heard often In our lives... think before you act... count to ten... quiet yourself... sleep on it. These are all pieces of good advice when we are preparing to act on our anger, but we tend to think of them as pieces of worldly wisdom, when in fact they are biblically rooted. Let’s read a verse together...
“ Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah”
Psalm 4:4 ESV
The warning given here is a valid one, because even when we retreat to a place of comfort, we can still neglect what our faith has taught us, and continue to plot against people and things. If we are not careful, silent, and sober-minded, we can take a time that should be calming for us, and use it to fume over what made us angry in the first place...
“He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.”
Psalm 36:4 ESV
If we slip from the calm, and wisdom of Psalm 4:4 into the continued anguish, and rising hatred, of Psalm 36:4, then evil overcomes us, sin takes control, and we are devoured by the lion. So as we are in our beds, pondering our hearts in silence, we need to pray for the peace of God, and wait for Him to tell us what to do. Sometimes he leads us into battle, at other times he tells us to stand still as He fights for us, but quite often He tells us to simply be still, and love our enemies...
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:44-45 ESV
The nature of men is to see finality in the world, and in the events unfolding within it. For instance... When Coronavirus strikes we become convinced that we are all going to die. When someone is killed, or mistreated by a racist we tend to believe all other men are racists. When the stock market goes up, or down, we see a continuing boom, or unending doom, but none of these things are true until God says so. God heals, souls have no color, world finances are in God’s hand, and the list goes on and on. Our fears make us lose sight of God’s power, goodness, and love... they cause us to stampede this way and that, and in such an environment the raging lion feasts, just as he did on Judas Iscariot...
“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.”
Luke 22:3-6 ESV
Today, as the world boils, and even boils over, we are told time and time again, in scripture, to fear not, pray without ceasing, be still, lean on God, have faith, ask in the name of Jesus, love our neighbors, and to receive God’s gifts... peace, calm, mercy, grace, wisdom, and the list goes on without end. So in keeping with God’s Word, let’s concentrate on Psalm 4:4, and when our anger rises because of the sin that is running rampant in the world, let’s pray, and think on what the Lord has instructed us to do. In this way love overcomes hatred, and righteousness resists the sin that besets us. Suddenly our fear abates, and the peace of Christ pours out over us. We know the outcome. We have read the end of the story. God wins, Jesus triumphs, and we are celebrant, and joyous, with our tears having been dried forever. Can you take Psalm 4:4 into your heart today?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us your Holy Word that teaches us to be still and ponder how we should confront those sinful things in the world that cause us to become angry. We thank you for every good thought, command, and ounce of wisdom we are presented that feeds our faith, trust, and obedience. Strengthen our belief Holy Father, so that we don’t tremble in fear at the face of death, meet racism with racism, or rend our clothes when our finances dwindle, and our crops fail. Help us to lean on you in all circumstances, and listen for your voice in the wake of every storm. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives us peace in the face of the world’s sin and chaos. Wonderful are you who redeemed us by sending your own Son Jesus to save us, and who breathed your Spirit upon us to keep us faithful until Christ comes in final glory to cleanse the world. Praised be your name Lord, for giving us rest and sleep in the assuredness of our faith, even in desperate times of turmoil, and strife. Hear our prayers as we lift up our worries, and needs to you, and witness our worship as we lay prostrate before you calling your name saying “Glory to God in the highest! Now, and forevermore!” You are merciful, and your grace abounds... in this we find comfort, and we pray for those who seek to do us harm, or against those things that threaten us.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””
Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 ESV
Rich Forbes