Good morning, Lord. Yesterday, I used words as weapons–sharp arrows I shot at someone else’s heart. Their words had pricked my heart, so I shot mine back. It’s a far cry from “do onto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Instead, I did to someone else as they did to me.
Forgive me, Lord. Forgive them. Help me forgive them too, in Jesus’ name.
We think of meek as a negative: a wimp, a doormat, a weakling who lets others take advantage of him.
God sees meek as a positive.
Psalm 37:11 (ESV)
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Moses, who spoke truth to pharaoh’s power, was no wimp.
Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very meek.
I’ve heard meek described as someone who carries a weapon, knows how to use it, and doesn’t.
Blessed are those who don’t rush to use their weapons. 
Good morning, Lord. It’s not a question of “If I sin.” It is “When I sin,” because I will. When I sin, nudge my soul so I understand what I’ve done. Give me the courage to admit it–to You first, then to others. Give me eyes to see through my excuses, wisdom as to why I did it, and the will to confess it honestly. Thank You for mercy, forgiveness and grace.
“When we see the darkness of our sin, we fear the storm of your wrath. But just as in truth rain brings new life to the Earth, so you rain down mercy on our sinful souls, bringing forgiveness and peace.”
Gilbert of Hoyland (died 1172)
Abbot of Swineshead Abbey, Lincolnshire
Because of God’s grace and mercy, we are forgiven. We need not fear His anger.
I know a few people who are masters at stirring up anger. They know what words whispered to which person will get a fight started. Often, they walk away with an innocent look, unscathed by the battle they started. They are motivated by evil, not good.
Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)
Hatred stirs up strife.
Rest assured, God knows who did what . . . always. He cannot be fooled.
Here’s more Old and New Testament wisdom regarding anger:
Psalm 4:4 (ESV)
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts
on your beds, and be silent.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin;
do not let the sun go down
on your anger, and give
no opportunity to the devil.
Clearly, anger can, but does not have to, lead to sin. How can we keep our anger on the right side of things?
Old Testament wisdom from Solomon:
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
New Testament wisdom from the Apostle James:
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Similar advice, from two different men in two different eras. It’s timeless wisdom. 
I see more and more angry people–in the news, on social media, just going about their day-to-day activities. It’s not my anger, but it puts me on edge.
It’s nothing new. David knew about it, back in Old Testament times.
Psalm 37:8 (CEB)
Let go of anger and leave rage behind!
Don’t get upset—it will only lead to evil.
In-your-face anger, hot rage, even a slow burn. Not good for you, not good for those around you. Let go of it, or it will lead you into trouble. 
Good morning, Lord. I wake up hungry. Let me feed that hunger with thoughts of You and not social media. Teach me to hunger for Your Word, not sweet pastries. Just as I nourish my body with food that’s good for me, let me feed my soul with Your words of wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 (AMP)
The full stomach (greed) of the rich
[who hungers for even more]
will not let him sleep.
Let’s hunger for righteousness, not riches.
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
