REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on July 22, 2019, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Anger”
Psalm 4:4-5, 7-8
“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. 6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Anger is an emotion most of us know all too well; I certainly do. Now that all three of my children have left home to live their own lives—and we enjoy good relationships despite my many shortcomings as a father—there’s one thing I wish I had done far better: being patient instead of blowing my top. Typically, after my outburst, I would feel guilty and condemned—mostly self-inflicted, though the enemy was always glad to make it worse.
The truth is that, regardless of how we are provoked, unresolved anger “gives the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:27), for it begins to chip away at our joy, peace, and freedom in Christ. Blaming others is always easier, but when our hearts grow quiet before the Lord, the Holy Spirit will show us our own faults as well.
Once, I became upset with my wife because she interrupted me while I was praying in the morning. (One of our children had called from school about something urgent—for him.) Seeing my anger, she asked, “With whom are you spending your time?” The subtext was clear: “How can you respond that way if you were spending time with the Lord?” Of course, that only made me more upset.
Two days later, while praying, a Scripture suddenly flashed through my mind: “Do not be over righteous” (Eccl. 7:16a). I quickly repented of my self-righteousness and apologized to my wife—who, by the way, vowed never to interrupt me while I’m praying again. (Trying to prove I had truly repented, I invited her to “interrupt” me anytime; she replied, “No way.”)
So how was your day? Did anything—or anyone—make you feel upset or even angry. What might that reveal about you as a person and as a Christian. (My own anger revealed a self-righteous heart.) Before leaving home today, ask the Lord to give you the courage to make things right with God and with others.
Prayer: Dear God, as I start a new week, I desire a life devoid of strife and anger. Lord, strengthen me to overlook and forgive the faults of others. Help me to not anger others as well. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 3
Lunch Break Study
Read Mark 11:15-17 (NIV): “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Questions to Consider
1. Who said this and to whom was this said?
2. Why were they conducting this business in the courtyard of the temple (Deut. 16:16)? Was it a bad thing?
3. Why was Jesus so indignant? Notice that the business was conducted in the Court of the Gentiles, the only place in the temple where the Gentiles could pray (2 Chr. 6:32).
Notes
1. Jesus said this to the venders of animals and money changers who conducted their business in the courtyard of the temple.
2. Since no one was allowed to appear before the Lord empty-handed, they provided a service for those Jews coming from faraway places who couldn’t bring their own animals for sacrifices. The money changers conveniently supplied the Jewish currency, which they then used to buy the animals—not a bad thing at first.
3. Despite this, the Jews still had a place to pray in the Temple area but not the Gentiles, since their place was now occupied by the Jewish businessmen. Jesus’ indignation was caused by Israel’s complete disregard for the spiritual welfare of the Gentiles. That’s why the Lord declared that the Temple is a house of prayer for all nations.
Evening Reflection
Earlier, we reflected on not allowing our unresolved anger to rob us of our joy and peace. As you look back, did anyone anger you today, or did you anger someone? How did you deal with it?