“Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.” Psalm 119:53 ESV
Setting at the red light behind a ‘snowbird,’ I was growing indignant. ‘The bird’ was paying more attention to a cell phone than to the traffic. She could have clearly gone right on red, but blocked traffic by breaking the law our cell phone use. When she pulled out… slowly, The big diesel truck from behind cut me off on the left, belching smoke while giving ‘the bird’… the bird! I experienced… ‘Hot indignation!’
Indignation is a fancy word. It means feeling or showing anger, or annoyance, at what is perceived as considered illegal, unjust, offensive or insulting. From a Christian standpoint, may I suggest that there is simply not enough of it going around these days?! Are you shocked… Literally? Then you may get my point!
EVERY human alive knows what is right and what is wrong. It is in our Conscience. God expects, at the very least, that we DO what is right and NOT DO what we know is wrong. Welcome to the 21st Century where ‘the individual’ is king and where ‘absolute Truth’ is considered offensive!
In the above scenario, I was indignant that a foreign human would willfully and illegally block traffic. I became MORE indignant as the guy behind me blocked my way because of his indigence. I am even MORE indignant now…because 20 minutes ago my computer crashed and I have to retype half of this message!
Does what breaks God’s heart break yours? Are you nauseated at your own willful and God insulting wrongs, and do you seek to do HIS will for restoration? Because if my own sin doesn’t offend me, I really have no way to accurately become indignant at societies ills. God fixes the ‘man’ before He can fix the ‘nation!’
We are living in an age ripe for the trappings of a tyrant. It could be the beginning of the end, as so many people fight for control of what societies norms should be. But before I can righteously sort out the externals, I must start with my own internals. And it starts with an inward look and an upward prayer… “Lord… show me YOUR way.” Which is EXACTLY what Psalm 119 is all about!
