Transformed – teen devotion – July 18, 2021
This series tackles selections from the book of Proverbs that provide godly wisdom in the areas of relationships, discipline, words, anger, and more.
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14
Let It Go
The average age of a US dam is 57 years. What happens at the end of a dam’s life? They break. The cracks in the infrastructure spread. Water starts pouring out by ounces, then gallons, then tons. If the engineers are unaware of the cracks and a heavy rainfall builds up water behind the dam, the consequences can be deadly. Water can destroy everything in its path.
Proverbs 17:14 tells us that’s how anger works. As Christians, God uses our love as a dam to protect others from harm. But anger eats away at our love like a crack in the dam. We remember what they said to us. We constantly think about what they did. Uncontrolled anger can lead to greater things, like plotting revenge. Our angry hearts too easily lash out with harsh words and actions. That’s when the dam breaks. The effects of sin pour out into our lives and the lives of others. Anger ruins so much. It can sweep away relationships and destroy love.
That should have happened to us. The dam of God’s love should rightly have been destroyed by our sin. We should have been swept away forever. But God wouldn’t let that happen! He kept his love steadfast and firm by sending his Son Jesus. God didn’t punish us. In his holy anger he punished Jesus for our sin. Jesus stood in the gap and protected us from being swept away. Jesus made sure we would always be safe in his forgiveness. Because of him, God’s anger ceased. He dropped the matter and declares there is no dispute between him and us.
So what does that lead us to do? Drop it! Drop your anger because God dropped his anger on Jesus. When you are hurt by others, remember how God forgave you. When you want to lash out, remember how God doesn’t lash out at you. When you plan your revenge, remember how God planned and carried out your salvation. God’s love for us builds up a dam of love in our hearts. Let’s protect others with that love!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for not sweeping me way in your anger. Thank you for sending Jesus and protecting me in his love forever. Help me to love others as you have loved me. Take away my anger, increase the peace in my heart, and let your love flow from me in everything I do. Amen.
