Don't Let The Sun Come Down On Your Anger

 

'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.' James 1:19

Some of us think that there is such a thing as 'Righteous Anger'. We justify this by pointing out to the many times God was angry in the Old Testament or to Jesus Christ strenuously driving the merchants away from outer courtyards of the temple in Jerusalem. We even point out to Ephesians 4:26, which says 'Be angry and do not sin' to excuse us when we lose our tempers.

Can we lose our temper and not sin? Solomon in Proverbs 29:22 had already made up his mind,

'An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.'

I do not think that there is a right to be angry. Righteous anger is self-righteousness on display. However it is easier said than done. I thought as I grew older I became more mellow but at a recent committee meeting I became very angry and upset at the lack of progress of an outstanding matter. It was very regretable. Then, the Bible reminded

'In your anger do not sin: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.' Ephesians 4:26

There is a lesson in this: Do not let your anger broil up nor let it simmer for too long. That is not a characteristic of Christians. Rather, the apostle James instructed,

'My dear brothers and sisters, take not of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.' James 1:19-20

The words from James describe a 'measured' person to whom we should all aspire. One characteristic of measuredness is being 'slow to anger' which is also describes the anger of God. God wants everyone to have a chance to turn from their wrongdoing.

 

The experiences of the people in the Old Testament with God clearly illustrate this as we read of episodes of God's anger and punishment followed by forgiveness and mercy. God's anger is a divine reaction to selfish and destructive human decisions and behaviours but it's rooted in God's love. 

Exodus 34:5-6 tells us that despite God's righteous anger, His core character trait is rooted in generous mercy, compassion and love. God's anger is followed by redeeming love as noted by this experience of Moses,

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him (Moses)  and proclaimed His name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses proclaiming, "The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." 

Another characteristic of God's anger is that it is relatively short-lived,

'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

There is a flip side to God's anger and that is God's grace, which the Psalmist described as lasting a life time. In Greek the word for grace is 'kharis' which means graciousness or undeserving gift. 

Saving by Grace - the Gift of Salvation

Charles Wesley wrote of this salvation in Christ in his famous hymn, "My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose when forth and followed Thee." Underdeserving though we may be, in Jesus we found saving grace. God's anger did not rain down on us, instead His grace did. God's grace saves us thoroughly.

'God has shown us undeserved grace by coming to save all people. He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world' Titus 2:11-12 (CEV)

Light of Grace - the Gift of Freedom

Charles Wesley wrote of being set free from the oppression of sin. "Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night. Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke the dungeon flamed with light." The apostle John opened his gospel referring to this light, 

'In Him was life and that life was the light of man. That light shine in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.'John 1:4-5. 

The Bible described the birth of Jesus Christ as the dawning of a great light and the star in the east signifies this. 

Here is a modern version of the Charles Wesley hymn: Amazing Grace! My Chains Are Gone   

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love

Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God who called me here below

Will be forever mine, will be forever mine

You are forever mine

'Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.' John 1:16

We have received grace upon grace. Don't let the sun come down on our anger. Replace all anger with grace.

Lionel

He's Got The World In His Hands

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yunnan

'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9

Recently, Singapore joined many other countries to 'Live with Covid.' The high take up of vaccination (more that 84% of the population are fully vaccinated), and the protection accorded against severe disease allowed Singapore to take this approach. Severe restrictions hurt the Singapore economy and our status as a international hub, a serious threat to our livelihood and future.  However the delta variant of the Corona virus is highly contagious and breakthrough infections post-vaccination occur at a significant rate albeit mild or asymptomatic.

Living with Covid comes with some restrictions. It is not without difficulties. Unfortunately many citizens gripe and rail against the government especially the netizens in internet chatrooms. These pampered and overly cared for complainants are unwilling to live with difficulties. What ingratitude! 

There may be another reason why people complain at times of crisis and difficulties, insecurity. Some may feel that life has bottomed out and they feel uncertain and insecure. At such times, it will do well for us to remember God's promise in Isaiah 54:10,

"Though the mountains be shaken and hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

The grumblings of Singaporeans reminds us of the attitude of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness during the Exodus. The wandering Israelites grumbled against Moses and then God Himself. Despite all that God had done for them, providing manna, quails and water, they were not satisfied and rebelled against Him.

It is true that life in the Sinai desert was not easy. Pippa, Nikki Gumbel's wife said, 'Life for God's people doesn't seem very easy. They didn't spend their days having fun, playing in the sunshine. There were difficulties everywhere; hunger and thirst, aggressive neighbours and snakes!' As Mark Twain once said 'Life is just one darn thing after another. God doesn't seem to take difficulties away but He does help us come through them.' (Ref 1) 

God may be silent at such times of crisis but He is never absent. We are not insulated from a difficult life but in the difficulties, God is there for us. Recognise the value of God's promises and presence.

There was a dialogue of God with Moses in the desert recorded in Exodus 33 that underscores the importance Moses attached to God being present with the Israelites in their exodus out of Egypt. This was right after the Israelites committed a grievous sin by worshipping the golden calf they had forged. Moses was so incensed by their idolatry that he smashed the tablets with the Ten Commandments, tossed the idol into the fire, ground the residue and forced the Israelites to drink the sludge.

Following the commotion, there was a respite when Moses met with God. God instructed Moses to leave the area and to carry on their journey but this time, without Him. 

'Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.' Exodus 33:3

But Moses flatly refused to accept that condition. He argued,

'If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?' Exodus 33:15-16

 

Despite all their shortcomings, the Israelites knew that the distinguishing mark that made all the difference, was God's presence with them. They are the people of God. And so, they journeyed for forty years in the wilderness towards the promised land always with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night  signifying God's presence. 

The experience of Living With Covid can be seen in the same context. In our lifetimes there will be such times of crisis and challenge. God did not promise skies always blue. Nevertheless at such times, God is there for us.

'Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end. Because I am God, your personal God.' Isaiah 43:1-3 The Message

Are we worried about Covid virus? Are we concerned that this pandemic has ravaged the world? Do we live in fear of Covid? We need not fear. Jesus said,

'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33

He's got the whole world in His hands! Sing along with African Children Choir

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got the whole wide world in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got the little bitty baby in His hands

He's got the little bitty baby in His hands

He's got the little bitty baby in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got you and me brother in His hands

He's got you and me sister in His hands

He's got you and me brother in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got everybody here in His hands

He's got everybody here in His hands

He's got everybody here in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands

Lionel

Ref 1. Niky Gumbel Day 85, Bible In One Year  2020