Psalm 4 God is a Call Away

When I first became a follower of Christ, I was ridiculed by family and friends about my new found faith. They called me freak, religious, fanatic, holy roller, etc. I remember the many times that their name-calling just got to me and made me furious. At times, I would lie in bed and ponder on the events of the day wishing at times that God would show up and do something about these people. But then, I would call on the Lord and he would deliver me from those bad thoughts.


David wrote this song in Psalm 4 that deals with the same issue. But though he was taunted by his enemies concerning his God and his faith, he counsels to ponder and not sin; to trust in the Lord and continue to be faithful in his service; to call on the Lord and he would answer. "4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent." 


Instead of allowing anger to brew more sin, he ponders on the goodness of God and all the joy he has provided for his life. In his meditations, he has concluded: "7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." The benefits of serving the Lord are so much greater than our grievances that it should fill us with peace and allow us to have a great night sleep to prepare to do it all over again the next day. 


God calls me to trust him; to call on him when in distress; and to recall all his blessings when I think I am  treated unjustly in this world. God is only a call away. When I do so, I will find joy and peace that will enable me to sleep well. I will be able to cry out like David: "8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." 


Father, help me to trust you. Enable me to call on you when in distress. Fill my mind with thoughts of your goodness that I may rejoice in you every day and that I may be in peace to sleep well every night. Amen.

Matthew 21:12-17 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

It is difficult for me to picture Jesus angry and probably for most people. But anger is an emotion that every human being experiences. Anger in itself is not a problem. The problem is what I do with my anger. If I lash out at people and hurt them in my anger then I have a problem. The term "anger management" tends to depersonalize anger making it an object outside myself that I have to control by mastering certain skills. The truth is that what I do with my anger comes from within, the heart, and cannot be depersonalized that easily. What I really need is an inner transformation that will help me manage my heart not just my anger. I most certainly don't oppose acquiring skills to cope with anger, but don't want to ignore my need for inner change. 

What made Jesus so angry? For sure, the buying and selling of animals for sacrifices and the money exchanging activities were part of temple life. People came from all over the surrounding nations to worship. It was necessary to have a market for animals and change of currency available. Notice that Jesus' accusation is that the temple has become a den of robbers. The robbers were the people selling and exchanging. Instead of providing a fair price for their sales and exchanges, they had attached a heavy tax for the local government as well as a cut for themselves ripping off people. That's what angered Jesus.

What does he do with his anger? He goes into the temple and drives people and animals out  of the temple. He definitely made a scene by overturning tables and probably raised his voice to call the attention of those present. He certainly has a flare for drama, but for a good reason. It is his Father's house and he is consumed by the lack of respect shown by others. He is the Son with all the rights in the world to correct something so blatantly wrong as robbing in the temple courts. Instead of prayer, robbery was taking place.

Am I that zealous for God's business? Would I display my anger when I see God's purposes perverted? I pray God will give me the strength to do so. It is so easy to fall prey to the practical and the easy. For example, at church, why would I stand in the lobby or the hallway when everybody else is worshipping God? Why would I sit in the lobby to chat with someone else when the Word of God is being preached? Do I come to church to meet my friends or to meet God first? Understanding that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, why would I give my body to uses that insult God, like sexual immorality, overeating, drug abuse, etc...

Lord, may your holy anger move me to make changes in my life to please you. Help me overcome that which perverts your purposes in my life. May I drive out all that stands in the way of genuine worship and adoration to you.