Wednesday Words of Encouragement: Anger Problem

Exodus 34:1-7 (NIV) ~

The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”

So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

Flashes of irritation, voices raised in anger, knee-jerk reactions. Unfortunately, I find this to be true in my life at times. I'm quick to lose my temper and I am not always calm when angry. It's something I pray about on a regular basis.

Moses seemed to be prone to this same problem. In the previous chapters in Exodus he spends time on Mount Sinai with the Lord, getting the commandments the Israelites are supposed to follow. He comes down off the mountain to find them worshiping a golden calf. Moses is angry! He flings down the tablets the Lord has given him and breaks them. He then makes the Israelites drink water laced with gold dust from the idol. Then he has the sons of Levi strike down the men in the camp. Talk about an anger problem!

When the dust settles Moses goes back up on the mountain and makes two more stone tablets and the Lord passes in front of him. As I read this passage yesterday morning something jumped out at me. The thing that God says is that He is compassionate and gracious. He is slow to anger, has abounding love and faithfulness, and forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin. It's almost as if He is reminding Moses of the qualities that are necessary to lead this people.

God also needs to remind us from time to time, doesn't He? I know I need that reminder on an almost daily basis. As followers of Christ, we too are supposed to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit - peace, patience, kindness, self-control, and on it goes. How are we doing at this?

As we enter into the Advent season, let's give thanks that because of the redeeming work of Christ we are able to control our anger. We are able to be kind to those who are not so nice. We can be patient with those who are irritating. We can show love to the unlovely, and be gentle to those around us.

That is encouraging to me today, and I hope it's encouragement for you as well.