Standing in the Breach

Have you noticed how easy it is to get angry about things that affect us or those close to us? As Christians we often see anger as a sin - something to suppress - and spend our time smiling through gritted teeth, pretending that we are not at all annoyed by that person’s rudeness - of course we're not, after all we’re redeemed! And, of course, we are redeemed, but we’re not perfected yet.

Suppressing our anger can be just as destructive as letting it have its head. Suppressed anger builds inside us like hot lava in a volcano and we all know what that can lead to!

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There’s no point in pretending that we don't get angry and annoyed, but, when we do, we need to stop for a moment and reflect: does our anger stem from our own selfish desires? Do we need to lay these down and consider the other person or people in the situation? Perhaps our anger is directed at bad behaviour on the part of others and is justified, but, in this case, can we not extend the same grace to that person as we have received from God? When we allow the Holy Spirit to change our perspective, we’ll find that we begin to have very different reactions to things.



This said, however, I believe that there are times when should be angry and situations that we need to get angry about - I'm speaking of righteous anger. Jesus (who was without sin, remember) got angry at certain situations. In fact, on at least one occasion that we know about, He actually lost it! (Matthew 21:12-17) When He saw the way the money changers were exploiting the poor and keeping them from coming to the temple to worship, He was furious and moved to do something about it - and He didn't do it quietly! He was angry at what they were doing and He let them know it! Afterwards the blind and the lame came to Him there to be healed (verse 14) and the children were shouting praise to God in those very temple courts (verse 15). Jesus saw an injustice and He stood in the breach for those people. Later, on the cross, He would stand in the breach for all of us.

I believe, fervently, that what Jesus did in the temple courts that day is what we, His followers, are called to do - to STAND IN THE BREACH for those who are suffering injustice. Let our voices be heard loudly and stridently, not in condemnation of the personal behaviour of those who don't yet know God’s love and grace, but in defence of those who are not able to defend themselves. And let our voices be followed by ACTIONS. There are so many people in our world today suffering barbarity, humiliation, displacement and hatred - it is we, the Church of Jesus Christ, His followers, those redeemed by His saving grace, who should be crying out in defence of these people and providing, where we are able, for their needs.


Let's stop trying to argue right and wrong with a fallen world and let's start putting our efforts into showing God’s love and compassion to needy people - it's what our Lord and Saviour did - “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)


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Christian Aid - Refugee Crisis Appeal

Syrian Refugees coming to USA - A Christian Response - Chrisaomministries

Sign the Petition: Refugees Welcome - initiated by students from a Spanish School