Read
28Rulers of powerful nations
are held in honor;
rulers of weak nations
are nothing at all.
29It's smart to be patient,
but it's stupid
to lose your temper.
30It's healthy to be content,
but envy can eat you up.
31If you mistreat the poor,
you insult your Creator;
if you are kind to them,
you show him respect.
32In times of trouble
the wicked are destroyed,
but even at death
the innocent have faith.
33Wisdom is found in the minds
of people with good sense,
but fools don't know it.
34Doing right brings honor
to a nation,
but sin brings disgrace.
35Kings reward servants
who act wisely,
but they punish those
who act foolishly.
Reflect
For the past two years a CNN app has been my daily news provider. Though the articles and videos are entertaining and informative, I sense a tone of increasing anger in various areas of our existence. I find this very alarming.
A display of anger is like the firestorm we had in Kelowna, British Columbia in 2003. For over a month the flames destroyed 238 homes and blazed everything in its path, Anger also leaves a trail of destruction in relationships; it creates havoc in politics and fuels wars. Yet anger in itself is not wrong. Every emotion God has given us has value and anger can be a legitimate response to injustice and sin.
God has deep compassion and concern for the poor and oppressed. I would hope that a “righteous anger” rises up in all our souls when we look into the eyes of hungry and demoralized humans. The Bible tells us that we are to have special concern for the needy, and when we respond with kindness, we are in fact honoring God (v 31).
We always have a choice.
- We can succumb to those burning feelings of anger and blaze over the people we love the most,
Or:
- We can let go of our selfishness and personal offenses and channel our feelings toward effective change in our world.
These choices are not always easy. But when we seek God’s wisdom, he has the power to turn our injured hearts into “righteous anger” that will bring honour into this world.
Respond
God, I confess that my heart is not always filled with “righteous anger” towards the needy and powerless people in this world. Help me to let go of selfishness and see the world through your eyes of love. Thank you. Amen.
Heidi McLaughlin
For over two decades Heidi has helped people find fulfillment in life through embracing God’s truth. She does this through writing and teaching the Bible, mentoring and speaking at Conferences and Retreats all across North America. Heidi has been twice widowed and has a family of 5 children and 12 grandchildren. When she is not writing or speaking she loves to golf, laugh or share a cup of coffee with her family and friends. Publications: Sand To Pearls: Making Bold Choices to Enrich your Life; Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman’s Soul; Restless for More: Finding Fulfillment in Unexpected Places; Looking Back and Enjoying The View; Your Home, An Entry Into a Woman’s Heart Anthologies: Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider; A Taste of Hot Apple Cider, Apple Cider and Cinnamon, Chicken Soup for the Soul: "O Canada"; Sunshine Kisses for Grandmas, , The Joy of Less
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