Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: ~Ephesians 4:26
I enjoy this time of the summer. The sun rises earlier and sets much later. We get to enjoy more daylight. Just last night, I went out for a walk and was watching as the sun was setting between 9:00pm and 9:15pm. Sundown represents the close of the day and the start of evening. Sundown is a marker in time for certain things.
“And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces” (Genesis 15:17). God made a covenant with Abraham that consisted of the giving of a son, a society, and much soil. Whenever two parties made a covenant, they certified this by doing a “cutting of the covenant.” God cut the covenant with Abraham by way of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp. These symbolized God’s everlasting faithfulness that He would fulfill what He promised, but not without obedience to His Word and persevering through fiery trials. Before the sun set, God affirmed that He would do what He said He would do.
“But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:12). Moses held his hands up while Joshua fought with Amalek down in the valley. He had help from Aaron and Hur, who held up his hands on both sides. As long as Moses kept his hands up, Joshua had victory. Moses' hands staying lifted up until the going down of the sun represents his steadfastness in prayer and commitment. Be a steadfast Christian until the Lord takes you home.
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). We are exhorted to live a life that worships and praises God from sunrise through sundown. His name is to be adored and celebrated throughout each day. As a day wears on, challenges and problems can come our way. It is important that we have a spirit of adoration and worship no matter how our day unfolds and no matter what problems come our way. If you want each day to be a blessed day, make it a priority to praise the name of the Lord all day long.
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Anger is a reaction to something that causes indignation within us. Anger can also be a reaction that we manifest because we were the subject of anger and abuse from others. It is in our nature to have anger. It is sinful to be angry. Anger should not turn into wrath or vindictiveness. Anger should not result in uncontrollable or emotional outbursts. Anger should not result in violence or hurt to others. It should not result in being abusive or caustic towards others. We are commanded to adjourn our anger before the sun sets. First, we should confess our sin of anger when our thoughts are seething and vengeful. Second, we must determine to not let our anger continue past sundown. The longer anger is seething in us, the more our anger morphs into wrath and revenge. Dealing with anger means our thoughts must be brought captive to the obedience of our Lord Jesus. It means we must be walking in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Sundown is a marker for getting things done and for putting an end to things that are not glorifying to God. Be faithful and wise each day of your life.
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalms 120-125
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