v. 4 "But the Lord replied, 'Have you any right to be angry?"
The word right means: in accordance with what is good or just, in conformity with fact or truth, correct in principle, judgement or action; most convenient, desirable or favorable. Just because the world would agree with our anger does not make it right in God's kingdom. Many times we go with our feelings instead of His truth.
God showed compassion to Jonah when asking if he had a right to be angry. God could have showed great anger towards Jonah, but didn't. I think the Bible shows us that it is OK to show our emotions to God, even if we are angry with Him, but we need to be careful that we don't stay that way. It is good to vent, then move on, many get stuck with anger against God and will never move forward. He asked Jonah like we would ask a child if they had a right to be mad if they didn't get their way.
"Knowing that the holy, completely powerful God could be angry and yet is slow to yield to it should cause us to reconsider the anger we feel when betrayed, belittled, or just ignored. It should also cause us to question any anger we feel toward God. Knowing He could and should be angry at us and yet chooses not to be should cause us to rethink our position." Priscilla Shirer
Have you any right to be angry? This is one of the most profound questions in the entire Bible. I know this will strike a nerve with some who read this. There are things that you may have never turned over to God or refuse to repent for your feelings due to the actions of others. I can only express that His love covers ALL of our sin, anger and pain. There are many things that happen in life that are terrible, but that doesn't mean that we should have anger towards God. Remember that there is a prince in this world who has a goal of separating you from God in pure destruction. Jesus said in John 12:31 "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out." A prince has limited power, but the King has no limits to His power.
So instead of having a Godly anger towards the devil we take that anger and direct it towards the only One who loves us most in this world. This is another deception from the enemy, to direct our hate to God instead of himself. Those who take a step in the direction of Grace will be healed from all the pain in their hearts. They will be able to see what the enemy has been trying to do to them for decades and will finally be free from that wicked grip of darkness. It feels unnatural to let go, but once you do you will see God's love wash over you and that is beyond compare.
Why does God ask a question when He already knows the answer? He is waiting for us to be accountable, to take responsibility for our actions. God wants us to bring things to the surface that we are trying to forget or hide. Problems will never be fixed by burying them, only when we can bring them to the light can we deal with them and be set free of their power.
"God does not compromise His nature to help with our sin. He doesn't excuse us." Priscilla Shirer
Good post
ReplyDeleteThank you Justin.
DeleteOur anger does not influence or change our relationship with God. We are called to be slow to anger, but when we are honest about anger, it is rooted within ourselves. Our anger bursts to God allows us to release the frustration and disappointment so can God bless us with His healing touch to stop the pain we are expressing for the choices we made. Consider Jonah's anger, was he right to get anger at God? No, but did it affect his relationship with God? No! Like a father with his child throwing a tantrum sometimes it is best to let the child work out his anger, then talk to him about why he was angry. "Just thinking from experience."
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I wish Jonah's anger would have broken through so he could see that there were things he should have given over to God for healing. Jonah's story reminds me so much of my kids.
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