Psalm 37:8

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Stop and think about it for a minute!   Why do we become angry? And then take it into our hands?   Is it not because we believe that if we don’t stand up for ourselves and our rights no one else will?  Not even God?   So we find ourselves working (now admit it!) vengeance.   This verse set in the midst of “fret not” and “Trust in”  reveals that anger is because we do fret and not trust.   Do we trust God to be just and judge properly?    Do we believe (trust) that God will restore what has been taken from us by the unjust?   It may not be “things” that they take from us.   It may be an attack on our dignity, integrity, or our goodness.  It will take humility, patience, and trust  to put away anger.  

                In 1991, when we entered the Gulf War, we told Israel not to fight that we would defend them.   Israel was attacked, and the United states deployed the patriot missile defense system.   No doubt it was hard for Israel to be attacked and not retaliate.   But they obediently trusted in the Americans.   This is what God calls us to do.  Don’t get angry, trust God to work for us.

Ps 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.