DEVOTION FOR DAD, MOM, THREE DAUGHTERS - SEPT. 1- 8, 2013
I've been thinking about anger lately. It's all around us; sometimes, in us. You hear it in words. You see it in looks. You see it on TV, in movies, and you read of it in newspapers, editorials, op ed pieces.
When I did wrong or spoke wrong words in my kid days, my Dad got angry. When brother Orv and I got into arguments and fights, my Dad got angry. And we soon felt it, meted out on our behinds. The righteous anger of parents is one way for kids to understand what is right and wrong.
There are differing opinions today about parental spanking of kids, but the Bible does give a divine opinion in Proverbs 13:24, and other verses. In our day as kids, Dad was usually the enforcer and Mom the comforter. Both Law and Gospel are necessary in the training of children.
Jesus, the One of whom we sing, "meek and mild", also got angry. Note that in Mark 3;1-6, when He healed a man on the Sabbath day in the synagog, the Pharisees got very angry and scolded Him for "working" on the holy day of rest. Jesus, in turn, "looked at them with anger"(v.5). How angry should we be when some people (even church members), like Pharisees, insist on legalism as the only "godly' way? "Do things, and speak and sing the 'right' way, like we used to do it. We never did it that way before".
In Mark 10:13-16 we note the disciples' complaining attitude ("indignant", "angry") toward parents who would bring babes in arms for Jesus to bless. Jesus, in turn, was" indignant " about their attitude . How angry should I be about parents who ought to "bring up their children in the fear and discipline of the Lord" (Eph.6:4), but don't, who fail to bring them to the grace the Spirit offers their children in Baptism, "which now saves us"(1 Pet. 3:21)?
As a pastor, I got more upset about parents who had children baptized, but did nothing about teaching them. In Matt. 28 Jesus said, "...baptize all nations, teaching them....". If there is a baptizing of a child, there should follow a teaching. If a child, a teen, or adult can be taught, he/she should also be baptized.
Jesus was far from pleased (He was really angry) when people bought and sold in the temple (Mark 11:15-17). They made God's house of prayer a merchandise mart. How angry should we be about 21st century "Simons" (Acts 8:18-21) who siphon money in the name of Jesus from worshipers' pockets into their own?
Anger over sin and wrongdoing is not ungodly. It may seem strange to read in the Bible these words, "be angry! " However, it goes on to say,"...but do not sin!" (Eph. 4:26). God would have us take care of our anger; don't let it linger all day long. Cain failed to deal with his anger, but let it turn to hatred and then murder
(Gen.4:3-6).
How do we deal with anger? The apostle shows us in Eph. 4:28, "...forgive one another, as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you". God, righteously angry over the sin of the world, our sin, dealt with it on the cross. He "made His Son to be sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor.5:21). Being made right with Him by faith in His Son, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). That blessed peace moves us to deal with anger, to live in love, forgiveness and at peace, with one another.
Dear God, You, being holy, hate all sin and wrong, not only actions and words, but our very thoughts, even our unrighteous anger toward others. Help us to be angry in the right way over all that is wrong and evil, all that which is against Your will and Your Word. Thank You for parents and others who let us know when we did wrong. Thank You for leading us to realize that they loved us but hated the wrong. Thank You that they were used by You to lead us to the One who did all things right for us, even dying for our sins, Your Son Jesus, our Savior. Help us not only to share and show others what is wrong in Your eyes, but to share the right way to forgiveness, hope, true life and salvation. Help us to share with others the love of Jesus who lived and died to make the world right with You. By Your Spirit, give them and us the peace that passes all understanding, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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