It is important for us to understand that God’s love is not easily provoked.
There are many Scriptures that tell us of God’s patience and longsuffering towards the backsliding of His people. But if God’s people do not heed His warnings and the many times He sends His servants, the prophets, to warn them, the day comes when God says, “Enough is enough.”
Psalm 81:11, 12: “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”
Many of the judgments which God gives, both to His own people as well as to the heathen nations, come after much patience and longsuffering on God’s part. Do you remember the story of Nineveh?
There are some exceptions to the rule, e.g., Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3 and Numbers 3:4) in the Old Testament and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1—11) in the New Testament. Read their examples again.
Romans 15:18: “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” In other words, he quietens down strife. This is a necessary attribute for fathers.
A man may be brave enough to capture a city, but Proverbs 16:32 says: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Proverbs 19:11: “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” The word discretion in the Hebrew (sekel) means “wisdom, understanding, knowledge, prudence.”
2 Chronicles 2:12: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence (sekel) and understanding.”
The truth of the subject is that 1 Corinthians 13:5 says that agape love is not easily provoked. There are far too many Christians who are easily provoked. Even a wrong look can cause a volcanic eruption. However, a prudent man will be slow to retaliate.
Our whole society is endangered by a very violent sub-culture who, through drugs and bad upbringing, have become angry and violent. None of us know when the “hot head” may strike next and what method they or he will use to kill and destroy.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell