January 27, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – CALM DOWN!
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Wednesday, January 27, 2021 – International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
CALM DOWN!
Read: Ruth 1:6-22
Ruth 1:6-22 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
MEMORISE:
A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back (Proverbs 29:11).
EXPOSITION
Anger, if unchecked, destroys lots (Prov. 15:18). An unchecked angry man is highly dangerous. ‘A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control’ (Prov. 29:11 NIV). Implication: only fools allow themselves get carried away by anger to the extent of misbehaving. It is absolutely impossible not to come across anger-aggravating people and events in life. The Scripture offers the solution: “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil (Eph. 4:26-27).
There is nothing wise in always feeling, “Let me fully say all that is in my mind that I am angry about.” No matter how angry you are, learn to control your temper and bridle your tongue (Jas. 3:2-7). Anger has resulted in some people misusing the power of the tongue, yielding disaster and regrets. The disaster resulting from untamed anger can be worse than even holocaust, even as we globally commemorate the memory of the victims of the holocaust, praying that an end would be brought to such disasters in the world, today.
Anyone who does properly check his temper is referred to as a wise (Eccl. 7:9). Surprisingly, when it comes to anger, even a genius, or the most anointed, can be a fool. Look at the way Nabal foolishly washed David and his men down, who asked for his kind gesture. But look at how God used the wise Abigail to save David from wrongly venting his anger on the people (1 Sam. 25:10-34).
It is natural and normal to see or hear things that can make one angry. However, God expects you to choose how to positively respond to such situations. The late Dr. Myles Munroe said, “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.” And that is the truth, anyway. Be not quick to anger, and when you get angry, never let it get the better of you. Never lose your head! Take control of your anger!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, let Your Spirit overwhelm and override my temperament.
2. Lord, help me to control my tongue and actions when I am angry, so l don’t lose my head and disappoint You.
3. Lord, help our leaders not to be eaten up by anger, so they don’t lose the mark and end like Moses.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 6:9 – 8:17; Matthew 17:17 – 18:11