Like Dew

For Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Proverbs 19:12

A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Consider the wrath of our King. When he acts in wrath against the wicked, no one can withstand his ire. For it is not that he acts with an uncontrollable rage, but precisely because his anger matches justice. God is to be feared because he is just, and as Supreme King he is able to carry to the fullest, the just wrath that the wicked deserve.

But his divine favor is all the more blessed to receive for it comes freely and generously. His favor is not distributed arbitrarily nor is it earned by ingenuity or hard labor. His favor is mercy; his favor is grace. By his grace he extends his mercy to those whom he has called to be not merely his subjects, but his very children.

And so today, give thanks for his favor, which like dew on the grass, refreshes you each day, not merely to get through the day but to take delight in your King. Your trials are not the result of his wrath bringing forth punishment; but as a father disciplines his beloved son for his good, so your King brings trials your way to purify your faith, to all the more increase your yearning for the day of glory to come, to let you share in the sufferings of your Lord, to make you compassionate towards others, to protect you from sin. Your King, if he is your Father, turns towards you the face of his favor. Give thanks.

Good Sense and Anger

For Monday, November 20, 2006
Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Here is a good measure for how much good sense you have. How do you respond to offenses? Are you quick to retaliate? Do you quickly throw back a verbal jab? Do you get easily flustered? Do you dash off curt emails? Then good sense is lacking.

What is the connection between good sense and controling one's temper? For one thing, the person with good sense understands that angry responses are more likely to worsen a given situation, rather than resolve it. Because he knows his goal is to bring resolution and understanding to the matter at hand, he controls his temper.

Also, the person with good sense understands what should and should not bother him. Injustice committed against those who cannot defend themselves will make him quick to be angry. Personal offenses thrown at him by those who are foolish or by those caught in a foolish moment will have little affect on him. Such offenses have no weight and thus will not harm a person with good sense.

So today, when a car pulls in front of you; when the co-worker at the office makes a curt remark; when you get a silly email, show good sense. Show that what really matters to you is the regard of Christ for you, who is your model for one who knew his goal and loved his Father, and thus could endure the foolish offenses of many.