Friday, March 23, 2012

Weekend Speaker - Pastor Ben Sigman

Theme:  Beyond: Next Level Living, Week One - Anger

Read:  Numbers 20:1–13

Think: Pastor Ben talked about anger last week and I'm still feeling a little sting... of conviction. You see that would happen to be my sin of choice. Not really of choice, I guess, but it is the one I struggle with over and over and over! Maybe I'm not the only one!

In the Old Testament we learn a lot about Moses. God used him in mighty ways to be his mouthpiece, to lead the nation of Israel, to work signs and wonders making the One True God fully evident. Though Moses was that great man, he also was prone to the same problem I have - anger followed by random acts of stupidity!

After reading todays Bible passage I have to ask: Where did Moses get the okay to deliver that scorching speech? I'm sort of thinking, he didn't. Then where did it come from? From anger. Brimming with hostility and reacting in unbelief, he takes that rod and preaches an angry sermon to the people. His short fuse allows him to verbally level these rebels with a raging tantrum. (I'm sure glad Pastor Ben doesn't do that to us!)

I think there's even a hint of blasphemy here. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” he asks. But really Moses, when did you ever bring water out of a rock? I'm pretty sure that was God  who made that happen.  But I get this scenario, when you give in to rage, you sort of black out...You set aside your right mind and are driven by the crazy emotions of anger. Ever been there?

Chuck Swindoll writes about this biblical account:

Moses "lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod" (20:11, italics mine).
God had told him to speak to the rock; Moses struck it, not just once, but twice. And I frankly doubt whether he even cared if water came. He probably hoped it wouldn't. He was so angry, he wanted their throats to stay dry. He wanted them to choke and writhe in their thirst. "Do you think we'll give you water, you low-life scumbags? Hah!" So he belts the rock—Wham! Wham!—and much to his surprise, out flows fresh water. Absolutely amazing!

But that's the way God's grace works, isn't it? Have you ever acted in rash unbelief, and yet God went ahead and opened up the door in spite of you? Talk about ultra humiliation. It happens when you're out to lunch spiritually, when you're walking in the flesh and you know it. You know when it began, and you know the depth and intensity of your carnality, but God graciously gives you what is best anyway. It's remarkable, isn't it, this thing called grace? It was grace that brought forth that clear stream of fresh water for the rebellious Israelites, as well as for ill-tempered Moses.

Do: Any other Moses' out there? We need to grab a strong hold of God's grace for us. Then we need to realize God has it for others, and so should we. Take some positive steps in learning to curb your anger. No more passive attempts. Deal with it head on - memorize Scriptures that speak to anger, find good Christian resources that can help you overcome, meet with a Christian therapist... Whatever you need to do, do!

Pray: Lord I know my anger does not bring honor to You and it hurts the people in my life. I ask your forgiveness for the times I give into my emotions and lose control. Help me Lord to deal with this well, and empower me through Your Spirit to change my behavior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.