anger – Be Still…

Mark 11:1-19 – What an Entry!

We’ve arrived in Jerusalem with Jesus on his triumphal entry to the magnificent, holy city. The jubilant people were greeting Jesus as he rode in on a donkey. This procession is remembered still today every year by churches around the world as “Palm Sunday,” the start of Holy Week. The crowds responded to Jesus with praise and worship.

Did you wonder why Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, rode a donkey? Wouldn’t a majestic white steed adorned in ornamental garments have been more appropriate? Jesus was never flashy like that. He was a humble, servant king. This entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilled prophecy for those who were familiar. (See Zechariah 9:9) Continue reading “Mark 11:1-19 – What an Entry!”

Obadiah 15-16 – The Day is Coming

Read Obadiah 15-16

What a way to start out this reading! “The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations!” Obadiah has focused up to now on Edom, the long-time rival of Israel. But Edom was not the only nation to rejoice at Judah’s fall. All nations will be judged for the way they have treated God’s people. Has the “day,” referred to here, happened yet?

We know Edom ceased to exist as a nation. That land is now divided between present-day southern Israel and Jordan. This part of Obadiah’s prophecy, then, points toward other nations being judged and destroyed. “Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history.”

James 1:19-27 – Listening and Doing

Read James 1:19-27

Remember James is teaching us how to live as followers of Christ. Wouldn’t the world look totally different if everyone put his wisdom into play? Let’s unpack these great reminders.

Listen before speaking. How many times have you rushed to respond to someone without letting them finish or even paying attention to what they said? I know I’m guilty of that and feel horrible when I catch myself. James is simply telling us to “be present” in all situations. We can avoid a lot of heartache when we pay attention and communicate effectively. This may be the gentle prompt you need right now to “slow down!”

1 Samuel 30:1-20 – Worst Nightmare

Read 1 Samuel 30:1-20

A closeup of a pile of ash and burnt up wood

David and his men faced their worst nightmare when they arrived home and found a burned-out village and that their wives and children were gone. Thankfully, they didn’t come home to dead bodies, too. There was hope they were alive.

David’s men were furious and blamed David for this misfortune. It was time for David to turn to God rather than try and take matters into his own hands. He called for the ephod from the priest so he could be sure the word was truly from God. And God said, “Go!”

Isaiah 9:8-21 – God’s Fury Against Israel

Read Isaiah 9:8-10:4

You may be thinking, I’m sure glad I wasn’t in Israel then! God’s rage seems to have been unleashed. For Isaiah’s audience in Judah, they must be thinking the same thing. Instead, they should be thinking, “Are we next? Are we immune to God’s anger?” For us today, it’s almost difficult to imagine the wrath of God coming down in such a forceful way. We are probably in a bit of denial that our loving God could be so ruthless.

We shouldn’t get too complacent in our comfortable lives. God’s compassion is powerful and strong, but so is his wrath. It isn’t like God just decided one day to be angry at his people. It took years, generations of sinfulness to bring them to this moment. God has given his people one chance after the other to be reconciled to him. In sending Jesus, that was his most loving attempt to bring us back to him. Yet for those who ignore God, turn their backs on him and do things their own way, can we assume his fury will not follow them as it did those people in Israel who have done the same?