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In an instant, Moses' dream of bringing the Jews into God's Promised Land was shattered! After 40 years of acting as the intercessor between God and the Israelites, Moses' anger caused him to sin. The question many ask, is how? When Moses struck the rock to get water as he had done over the years, he failed at representing God. God specifically told him to speak to the rock this time. Moses’ anger with the rebellious Israelites caused him to sin against God.

Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." (ESV)

When I first read this verse, "Be angry and do not sin," it sounded like a contradiction. It might surprise some gentlefolk that anger is not always a sin. It depends on what we choose to do with it. 

Remember, Our Lord is no stranger to anger.

Psalm 7:11 says, "God is angry with the wicked every day." (KJV)

How often do we push the envelope and do things God disapproves of? When our need for justification holds more value than extending Christ-like love, we can be sure it is not producing the kind of righteousness God is looking for. The sickening stench of its aftermath replaces any desire for self-justification. We should be mindful that God chose love, grace, and mercy over anger, even though we don’t deserve such love.  

Moses allowed his frustrations with the Israelites to cause him to disobey God's direct order. It was okay that Moses was angry with the rebellious Jews. In Numbers 20, Moses lost his temper and struck the rock twice! God had told him to simply speak to it. That act of anger and misrepresenting God cost Moses dearly. He lost the privilege of leading Israel into the Promised Land. 

Anger festers and brews until it erupts and becomes uncontrollable. If left heated overnight, both taste rancid and have developed an unpleasant bitterness by morning. Unresolved bitterness can develop into a rage, a powerful emotion capable of destroying whatever or whoever stands in its way. 

Friends, things are going on around us that should make us angry. Sex trafficking, child abuse, war, and racism should make us mad. The Washington Post recently wrote that "domestic violence cases have spiked during the pandemic."  

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Please remove any anger, annoyance, and animosity from our life and replace them with steadfast trust in You. Fill our hearts with compassion instead of conflict, humility instead of hatred, and faith instead of bitterness. We ask these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.