January 30, 2024
Dear Friends,
“Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).
This is a proverb worthy of much reflection, and I find myself thinking about it often.
First, Solomon says that if you have good sense, your blood boils slowly. You know that getting angry quickly is counter-productive. If you start seeing red quickly when provoked, then you can no longer see clearly. You’ll misunderstand, miscommunicate, and spoil your chance to resolve whatever it is that made you angry. It’s good sense to know that indulging your anger is like throwing fuel on a fire that you should be trying to put out.
Then, Solomon says that it is the glory of a man to be merciful. When someone offends or insults or hurts you, however degrading that may be, you degrade yourself even further if you then turn around and really let them have it. You bring yourself down to the level of brutishness. It is low and inglorious.
On the other hand, if you extend mercy, you are behaving like a human. That’s what the glory of humanity is – it is to be who God made you to be. When someone offends or insults or hurts you and you just let it go, you’re shining like the sun in all its splendor.
In fact, when you are slow to anger and overlook offenses, notice how you are acting just like God. Moses asked to see God’s glory, and God gave him just a slight glimpse, proclaiming: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).
God does go on to say that he will not forgive those who are impenitent, who continue in their transgressions, who presume on his kindness and take advantage of his mercy. But all of that is built into his slowness to anger. He does not strike out in wrath at once, but instead, he is patient and kind, desiring to write it all off in the hopes that the sinner will turn from his ways and live.
God made us to be like him in this: that we forgive not just 7 times in a day, but 70 times 7 times.
If you think that’s hard, you’re right. You’re up against it with your old sinful nature trying to get you to be senseless and inglorious. So, pray for help. Repent. Receive God’s mercy. And practice. Guard your lips and your heart. Fill your mind with the Word of God. Let peaceful words from your Savior be at the ready. And let God glorify you!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, January 31
9:30am – Chapel
10:00am – Bible Study
6:00pm – Small Catechism Bible Study
7:00pm – Midweek Vespers
Sunday, February 4
9:00am – Divine Service
10:30am – Sunday School/Bible Study
** Pastor on vacation, Feb. 5-10
Wednesday, February 7
No Bible Study or Midweek Vespers
Sunday, February 11
9:00am – Divine Service
10:30am – Sunday School/Bible Study