Title: Anger vs. Correction/Topic: Parental Responsibility

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:21
21 When King David heard all this, he was furious.

Observation: David is furious with his son Amnon for raping his half-sister Tamar. But that is the extent of his dealing with the criminal and sinful behavior of his son. There is no record of his correcting him by giving him any kind of meaningful consequence. He didn't even give him the consequence God had said was appropriate for such a heinous act when He gave the law to Moses. David just got mad. Tamar's brother Absolom hated his half-brother for disgracing his sister and took matters into his own hands by later murdering Amnon. David's inaction wreaked havoc in his family.

Application: James 1:20 says that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”. How often we parents can resort to that instead of effective correction. For the sake of our children, our families and society, we need to make sure we let our children suffer the consequences that their bad choices deserve so that they will hopefully learn to do right when they are older. None of us like to see our kids suffer hardship so we sometimes just vent our displeasure or frustration with them instead of really dealing effectively with the problem. Let us make every effort to do right by them by holding them to a high standard of behavior without reacting in anger.

Prayer: Father help us to use our authority as parents, teachers, and adult mentors to guide our children with effectiveness into the way they should go. May we control our own emotions so as not to give them a reason to disregard what we say to them.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.