In your anger...

1 Psalm 4:4 (New International Version):

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

2 Psalm 4:4 (New International Version):

When you are angry, do not sin.
Think about these things quietly
as you go to bed.

Interesting... So maybe that is the secret to not sinning when you are angry? I happen to be great at opening my mouth in my anger. Seems like I've been working on that for years and years. Usually when I going to bed, or already in bed, I've already forgotten half the day.

But I wonder if he's talking about waiting before responding here. I have learned to write an e-mail in anger and then save it as a draft and read it an hour later, or the next day. Usually I end up re-writing it with much more tact. I think that's what he's talking about here. Any time I'm angry, I should do my best to wait before giving an answer in anger, or acting in anger. Give it a day, ponder on it, and see if I still come to the same conclusion.

Apparently, it's not just me. I find it extremely easy to sin when I'm angry... and apparently, David did as well..

1 New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2 New Century Version (NCV)

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Remembering God's Power

Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:11

It's always hard to understand (at least for me) what 'with fear and trembling' means. I suppose for now I'm content with the idea of always remembering God's power.... that he created the world, and everything in it. That he sees everthing, and nothing is hidden from him.

And I think I do understand what 'Serve' means, so at least I can start there....;)

Blessed is the man ...

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

It's really sad... I feel sometimes like I've forgotten all about God's word and the act of meditating on it. I remember I used to write down a verse or thought each day from my quiet time each morning while reading the bible so I could think about it later during the day.

It's been a very long time since I've done anything like that. I think I'll do that today... memorize Psalm 1:2...

But his delight

is the law of the Lord,

and on his law

he meditates day and night.

* 1,2

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society