Warm hellos once again friends, brethren, fellow laborers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God from here on the Gulf Coast of lower Alabama. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you doing well, and that again your week has been blessed.

I often reflect back on historical events in the world and think about where we are today. I also ponder on what causes certain people to do what they do during these events. Time has a way of quickly moving forward, more so as we age (or so it seems). But, it’s important we do not forget the history behind us.

In the news back in 2015 the focus was on a terrible massacre in Paris, France at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, by Islamic terrorists who claimed “the magazine insulted Mohammed”. These were the deadliest attacks in Paris since the Second World War. Al Qaeda had claimed responsibility for the planned attack.

An Algerian source had warned Europe that twenty sleeper terrorists’ cells were ready to strike.  Already a major anti-terror operation in eastern Belgium had thwarted jihadists, returning from fighting in Syria, who were planning an attack with both suspects and possibly a third killed.  The operation it pursued lead to threats elsewhere in Belgium.

France’s largest demonstration took place in the streets of Paris with over 80 world leaders, from both Europe and around the world, including President François Hollande. 1.6 million people protested the killings and Islamic terrorism.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was aware of 22 Terror camps operating in various cities across the United States.  Iran had many times openly threatened to unleash terror in the USA in the event they were invaded.  So, still today in 2025 it may not be long before we may see attacks taking place in the United States.

So, why bring this all up? Stay with me folks.

Anciently God warned Israel what would happen if they persisted in disobedience, and this the United States has done for a long time. Leviticus 26:14 says “But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments,:15 and if you shall despise My statutes, or if your soul hates My judgments, so that you will not do all My commandments, so that you break My covenant; 16 I will also do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, consumption, and burning fever, consuming the eyes and causing sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. : 17 And I will set My face against you, and you shall be slain before your enemies. They that hate you shall reign over you.”  (MKJV)

With the inauguration on Monday of a new president, many are saying “we no longer need to fear or listen to scriptures like this…” Hummm, okay.

It is sobering to realize that we are much closer to seeing the things fulfilled in our own homelands where we have had relative safety from these type of events.

Jesus Christ warned us to “Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  Luke 21:36 (KJV).

So back to the event in France. One of the things that catches my attention is the vivid anger that emanates from these individuals who do such horrific acts.

What sets off anger in these individuals? What sets off a reaction of rage and a violent response? For some it is having their demands defied or refused. I recall one person yelling “How dare you question my authority and obvious superior intelligence!” For others they over-react when their plans don’t work out, especially if someone else does something to change or thwart their plans.

Let’s look at several incidents where individuals in positions of power exhibited rage and anger.

In Matthew 2, notice the events that involved the Magi searching out the location where Jesus was born. Herod heard about the arrival of the Magi and their desire to find this “King of the Jews.” Herod assembled the chief priests and scribes to determine the location. Herod was told that it was prophesied in the Scriptures to be Bethlehem. (vv.1-6) Herod interrogated the Magi as to when they saw the portent of the star and then told the Magi to carefully search the location and then bring back word to him so that he might worship the child (Herod falsely claimed). (vv.7-8) God sent a dream or vision to the Magi with a message to not return to Herod. (v.12) an angel appeared in a dream or vision and also told Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the young child and remain there until further instructions. (vv.13-15). What was Herod’s reaction?

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” (v.16) What a vicious and terrorizing action! What out of control rage and unleashing of violent vengeance!

An ancient king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, was a ruthless dictator. He issued unreasonable and controlling demands. After he had his dream of the great image, he demanded that the “magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams.” (Daniel 2:2) It was one thing to interpret a dream whose contents were disclosed. But here this shrewd and explosive king demanded that the contents of the dream itself must be determined. These soothsayers realized they could not do this and asked the king to tell them the contents of the dream. Nebuchadnezzar still insisted that they tell him the dream and the interpretation. The wise men stated that there was no one on earth who could do what the king requested “except the gods.” (vv.4-11) The mighty and prideful king Nebuchadnezzar responded as might be expected. “For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave a command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.” (v.12) This decree would affect Daniel and his three friends. Daniel appealed to the true God and the dream and meaning was revealed to Daniel. God extended grace to Daniel and also to the other “wise men” and revealed the contents and the meaning of the dream. I see in Daniel a man of great wisdom and diplomacy in communicating with a man with such an explosive temper and giant ego. Notice how Daniel addresses Nebuchadnezzar: “As for you, O king” (v.29) “You, O king, were watching” (v.31) “You, O king, are a king of kings” (v.37) God blessed Daniel with favor from the king.

However, the king’s angry temperament hadn’t really changed. In the next chapter we have the incident of Nebuchadnezzar setting up a great image of gold. He directed a herald to announce the command for everyone to “fall down and worship the gold image” at the “sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery.” (Daniel 3:1-5)  If any one refused to worship the image they were to be “cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” (v.6) Some of the Chaldeans (who had been shown up previously) ratted on Daniel’s three friends, who had refused to worship the great image. They were brought before the king and asked if they were ready to worship the image. They responded “let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (v.18) True to form, “Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.” (v.19) The king commanded some of his men to throw Daniel’s three friends “into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” (vv.20-21) It took a miracle to get this angry man to cool down, change his mind, and then mandate that no one should speak against the God of these three brave Jews again under penalty of death and destruction.

The book of Proverbs gives some instruction about dealing with an angry person. “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go” (Proverbs 22:24) I see this instructing us to stay clear of relationships with angry people, especially those given to rage. If we have to deal with angry individuals, we need to use wisdom and caution. If we cross them and/or correct them, sparks will fly!

Proverbs also describes the actions and effects of an angry man. “An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.” (Proverbs 29:22)

What if you are forced to deal with an angry individual or perhaps you are dealing with anger issues within yourself? Open anger is often hidden in a passive way with the same results. The outbursts may not be audible, but still exist. We’ll explore this more at another time…

Arms up friends! Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Thanks in advance for your heartfelt prayers for us.