“Be angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26
“And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18
Today’s Christian daily devotional
There’s about a million things that I need to get done today. But, life slows down to a respectful halt as I anxiously scan the latest headlines.
Along with the rest of the country, I want to see the faces of the two men who planted the bombs at the 2012 Boston Marathon.
My search isn’t in vain; there’s no shortage of articles or video clips. And of course, my ‘ten minute search’ had little chance of actually lasting a mere ten minutes. I was engrossed by the threads of comments written by angry bloggers all around the world. Justice was the common theme.
As a fellow American, I share in the anger. Who wouldn’t want justice for the innocent lives that have been lost? Who wouldn’t want to see justice for the ones who are left with permanent wounds from the senseless bloodshed in Boston?
I know my anger isn’t misplaced, either. In Ephesians 4:26 Paul addresses holy anger. It’s the kind of anger that God put into the heart of all humanity. This is our deeply rooted yearning for justice in a world that seems merciless.
Many people dismiss the notion that a good God would create a place like hell. But, wouldn’t it be in the character of a just God to do just that?
Isaiah 30:18 was meant to encourage all those who have been wronged to hold out for God’s justice system. No matter what crimes man thinks that he can get away with in this life, God will be certain to retain justice for the innocent.
And, the great thing is, God can’t be bribed. Money doesn’t impress Him and good works don’t, either. So, what wins the heart of God? Psalms 51:17 says it’s a humble and broken heart.
Even if you never set a bomb off that kills and maims innocent lives, I can’t think of a person who hasn’t hurt another knowingly or unknowingly. Sometimes the pain of rejection, abuse, neglect or bullying can even hurt deeper than a physical wound.
Have you ever been the source of pain for another? Just as God will seek justice for the sins committed against you, he will also do the same for the people that you have hurt.
Let me remind you that God is also known for His mercy. Allow Him the chance to be merciful to you– just ask Him for forgiveness. It really is just that simple.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Everyday it seems that evil prevails. It’s so disheartening that this world has become so cold and violent.
Many crimes against the innocent stem from the thoughts of jealousy, revenge or hatred. Lord, I repent of these very sins. In the confines of my mind and heart, I, too have had thoughts of jealousy, hatred and revenge. I’m not so innocent; because even if my sins aren’t exposed for the world to see, you can see them, Lord.
Please give me the kind of heart that is sensitive to the sins that grieve you. Let them grieve me until I turn from them. This will keep me on the path of righteousness.
Help me to forgive those who have hurt me. Give me the supernatural gift to let go of offences easily. Help me to bless those who have hurt me. As there are many I have unknowingly hurt myself.
You have forgiven me, so I must forgive others. I cast out the spirit of bitterness, resentment and anger
in Jesus’ name.
Let the world know you are real by the kind of supernatural love I give to others. In Jesus precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Isaiah 30:18 and Ephesians 4:26
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan