The Results of Anger
This afternoon in our Good News Club at Cotton Indian Elementary School I taught the lesson about Moses getting angry and striking the rock, instead of speaking to it like God had told him to do. We had 43 children, and it was a great lesson for them to learn and for all of us. When we get angry, we can do things that will effect us for the rest of our lives. It is much better to let the Lord help us to put away anger, so it won't hurt us and others.
Moses was directly disobedient to what God told him. He knew he should just speak to the rock, but because of his anger and pride, he struck the rock not once but twice. Because of that sin, he never was able to enter the Promised Land, even though he had waited and been faithful in other ways for so long. What a punishment! However, it was a just punishment, because of his direct rebellion against God. His angry decision effected him the rest of his life.
I am sure we have all done similar things. Maybe, we are still paying for the sin by having lasting consequences. The only way to avoid such things is to put away anger with the Spirit's help.(Ephesians 4:31) It is possible, and it is God's will for all of us. Of course, we have to surrender to Christ as Lord of our lives first. Then, we receive the Spirit who can free us from anger and its results.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 33-35.
Moses was directly disobedient to what God told him. He knew he should just speak to the rock, but because of his anger and pride, he struck the rock not once but twice. Because of that sin, he never was able to enter the Promised Land, even though he had waited and been faithful in other ways for so long. What a punishment! However, it was a just punishment, because of his direct rebellion against God. His angry decision effected him the rest of his life.
I am sure we have all done similar things. Maybe, we are still paying for the sin by having lasting consequences. The only way to avoid such things is to put away anger with the Spirit's help.(Ephesians 4:31) It is possible, and it is God's will for all of us. Of course, we have to surrender to Christ as Lord of our lives first. Then, we receive the Spirit who can free us from anger and its results.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 33-35.