Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 16:32(KJV): "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Thoughts for the Day:

In the book of Proverbs we find many profound truths, that when applied to our lives, will bring great victories.   This verse about anger is one such truth.  To experience anger is not sinful, as the Bible says that God Himself  is angry about certain things. Anger is an emotion that every human being experiences at times. In fact, we should be angry when we see injustice and ill treatment toward human beings. God is angry when He sees the things that sinful people commit, that bring sorrow and tragedy to others who are innocent. He never wanted humans to kill one another or to exploit one another.  The sin is not in experiencing anger, but rather in how we deal with it.  We can turn our anger into prayer, which in turn can change the things we see that are wrong.

If we allow our anger to turn into vindictiveness and we practice the same kind of evil that was sent our way, then we become just as guilty as the one who we are angry at.  We are told in scripture that we are to overcome evil with good and not to render evil for evil.

Romans 12:18-21:
18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Many domestic quarrels could be avoided if each spouse practiced the admonition in today's Proverb.  So many couples just allow their emotions to rule them.  Then they  begin to rail at each other with hurtful words, that if continued, will eventually destroy their marriages.  So what should we do when we become angry at an injustice?  First, we should be willing to examine our own heart as to why we are reacting with such anger ourselves.  Are we justified in being angry or are we prideful and partially to blame for what is happening?   We should go to God in prayer and take our anger to Him and ask Him how we are to deal with the situation.  We must be just as willing for the Lord to change us, as change the one we are angry at.  Unforgiveness and bitterness are sins just as deadly, if not deadlier, than some of the more common sins. We must deal with our anger quickly so that it does not turn into a bitter root of unforgiveness.   This sin can block our blessings and destroy us. We should deal with anger the same day we experience it.

Ephesians 4:26-27: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."

1 Peter 3:8-9: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

Hebrews 12:14-15: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

God has asked us, His children, to love our enemies and to forgive those who have trespassed against us. This is an impossible thing to do without God's grace.  I cannot love my enemies and neither can you, without the grace of God to do it.  We have to call on God to do this impossible thing. However, God never asks us to do something that we cannot do. But to do this, we must be endued with power through the Holy Spirit. Only God's kind of love is sufficient for the task. If we refuse to allow the Lord to do this in us and we harbor unforgiveness, then we block God from forgiving us. 

Matthew 6:14-15: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Proverbs 16:32 says that to be slow to anger is better than the mighty. Self control (temperance) is a virtue and a fruit of the Spirit that we must cultivate if we are to do any mighty works for God. We must be able to control our temper, as this is part of controlling our spirit. When we are able to do this, the Bible says it is better than taking a whole city.  When a man can rule his own life through the power of the Holy Spirit, then he is fit to rule a city. 

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being patient with me in times past, when I know my sins caused you grief and anger. Help me to have the same kind of patience and love toward those who cause me to be angry.  Lord, I choose to love them, and thank you for your power to demonstrate that love.  Father, I do forgive all who would sin against me and I ask You to bless them with the knowledge of Your love and truth.   Lord, I pray especially for all my brothers and sisters in the Lord. May we all walk in Your love and forgiveness toward each other so that the world may see Your love in us and as they witness this love, may they desire to know You, the God of love.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.