Psalm 4 ~ Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

² O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

 
³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴  Be angry, and do not sin;
     ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
 

⁵ Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
     Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
⁷ You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

  

How often are we told in Scripture to be angry? Anger issues are talked about 358 times. One of the great things about God's word is the Truth. People get angry. It is our ability, as my grandmother Anita said, "To rise above it."

The day after our last post on climbing trees; we were all home and all four of us opened the windows to enjoy our Tuesday late afternoon, early evening rain. And as my husband sat by the window, he said, "A tree fell over." I said I didn't think so. Our 100 year old plus Sweet Gum had fallen on the neighbor's chimney and roof. And.... after Hurricane Ike, our 130+ year Grand Old Lady Oak had fallen on their home as well.

We had some angry words over the first Grand Old Lady Oak. And to be frank, our minister, our Church family and some of the neighbors were not happy with the significant way our older neighbors had dealt with us over the Grand Old Lady Oak. And from time to time, we have recalled with some anger and, later, some bitter humor over the first event. 

So how did we react. Not great. And the grown/almost sons acted like the parables. One was set to help and one said no.  And he didn't show up. Thanks, there. But we pulled it together. My husband decided the men would lead the way. He called, we went, we called on more of our very kind neighbors to bring outdoor/green leaf trash cans and tarps. So 6 very wet people stood in the house with 3 recent death losses. And we felt awkward.  With a pause. And then we all decided we had other issues to deal with and we had enjoyed one another in the past. And heave to. The men went up into the attic, the women rolled up the rugs. And we sat down to discuss loss. 

I know my neighbors all felt at the end, it wasn't a good situation, but good people help each other.  Act in LOVE.

 You have put more joy in my heart

Faces that were awkward became....

 Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord

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