July 13

Morning

Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?” “I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!” — Jonah 4:9 BSB

Anger isn’t always sinful, but it can easily get out of control. So, whenever we feel it rising up, we should quickly ask ourselves, “Is it right for me to be angry?” Sometimes, we might be able to say, “Yes!” Anger is often like a madman’s fire, but at other times, it’s like Elijah’s fire from heaven. We are right to be angry with sin, especially when it offends our good and gracious God. It’s also right to be angry with ourselves when we remain foolish despite all the divine instruction we’ve received, or with others when their actions are evil.

If we’re not angry at sin, we become complicit in it. Sin is a loathsome and hateful thing, and a renewed heart cannot tolerate it. God Himself is angry with the wicked every day, and His Word tells us, “You who love the Lord, hate evil.”

But we must also ask, “Is it right for me to be angry?” More often than not, the answer is, “No!” Why should we be irritable with children, harsh with servants, or angry with our friends? Does such anger honor our Christian profession or glorify God? Isn’t it just the old sinful nature trying to take control? Shouldn’t we resist it with all the strength of our new nature in Christ?

Many believers give in to their tempers as if there’s no point in fighting it, but we must remember that we are called to be conquerors in all areas, or we will not receive the crown. If we cannot control our tempers, what evidence is there of grace in us? Someone once said to Mr. Jay that grace is often grafted onto a wild, crab-apple tree. He replied, “Yes, but the fruit shouldn’t be crab apples!” We must not use our natural weaknesses as an excuse for sin. Instead, we should flee to the cross and pray that the Lord will crucify our tempers and renew us in gentleness and meekness after His own image.

Evening

Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. — Ps 56:9 BSB

No words can fully express the beauty and depth of the phrase, “God is for me.” He was “for us” before the world was made. He was “for us” when He gave His beloved Son. He was “for us” when He struck His only Son and poured out His wrath on Him. He was “for us” even while He was against Him. He was “for us” when we were lost in the fall—He loved us still. He was “for us” even when we were His enemies, defiantly resisting Him. He was “for us” when He brought us humbly to seek His face. He has been “for us” in every struggle, and we’ve faced many dangers, temptations from within and without—how could we have survived without Him being “for us”?

He is “for us” with all the fullness of His being, with all the power of His love, and with all the wisdom of His mind. Every divine attribute is arrayed “for us,” eternally and immutably “for us.” He will be “for us” when the skies are rolled up like a worn-out garment, and “for us” throughout all eternity!

And because He is “for us,” we can be confident that when we pray, He will help us. “When I cry out to You, my enemies will turn back.” This is no uncertain hope—it is a well-grounded assurance. “This I know.” I will direct my prayer to You and wait for the answer, knowing it will come, and my enemies will be defeated, “for God is for me.” O believer, how blessed you are to have the King of kings on your side! How secure, with such a Protector! How certain your cause, with such an Advocate! If God is for you, who can stand against you?