When You're Angry — Raw & Real, Week 2

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Psalm 137, Psalm 4

Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 4:19, Job 3:1-9, Psalm 58:1-11

Big Idea: Anger at injustice is not sinful. The Psalms contain prayers of rage, prayers asking God to avenge wrongs. Anger can be a form of prayer.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Psalm 137 is one of the most disturbing in Scripture. The Israelites are in exile, and they sing: 'If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you.'

And then, suddenly: 'O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for the wrongs you have done to us; happy is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.'

This isn't gentle spirituality. This is raw anger. And it's in the Bible. This is permission for our anger to be real, to be voiced, to be brought before God.

I. Righteous Anger (Psalm 137:1-9)

'By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.'

The Israelites are suffering. They're captives in a foreign land. Their city has been destroyed. Their home is gone.

'The Babylonians taunt them: 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!' But the Israelites refuse. They can't. Their songs are tied to a place they've lost.'

Their anger is righteous. They've been wronged. Cities have been destroyed. Families have been separated. And they're angry.

'May those who want to curse me be put to shame and confused; may they turn back in shame.'

This anger is brought before God. It's not buried. It's not suppressed. It's voiced. And God listens.

II. Anger as Prayer (Psalm 4:4)

'In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.'

Notice: The Psalmist acknowledges anger. He's not saying, 'Don't be angry.' He's saying, 'In your anger, don't sin.'

Anger itself is not sin. Unrighteous action as a result of anger can be. But the emotion? It can be real and valid.

'Search your hearts' means examine where the anger is coming from. Is it righteous anger at injustice? Or is it selfish anger at being denied something you wanted?

If it's righteous, bring it to God. If it's selfish, surrender it. But either way, the first step is honesty about the anger.

Many of us were taught that anger is sinful. But the Psalms show us that anger can be part of prayer. It can be how we bring injustice before God.

III. Trusting God With Vengeance (Romans 12:19, in context of Psalm anger)

Paul writes: 'Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.'

The Psalms often ask God to avenge, to repay, to punish evildoers. And Paul's instruction is: Let God do it. Don't take matters into your own hands.

This doesn't mean swallow your anger. It means direct it properly. Bring it to God. Ask him to see the injustice. Ask him to make it right.

But trust that he will do the avenging. Your job is to be honest about the anger, to seek justice, but not to take destructive action.

Healing from anger often comes when we've cried out to God and released it to him. When we've said, 'God, this is unjust, and I'm angry, and I'm trusting you with it.'

What injustice makes you angry? Will you bring that anger to God and trust him with it?

Conclusion & Appeal

Don't pretend your anger isn't there. Don't suppress it as sinful. The Psalms give us permission to be angry at injustice.

But bring that anger to God. Cry out. Tell him what wrongs you've experienced. Ask him to see, to respond, to make it right.

And then trust him. Release the desire for revenge. Let God handle the vengeance. Your job is honesty and trust.

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