This morning as I read and study the word “angry” I am reminded that actions taken are not where anger are or should be directed. It is the actions that go against that are where our anger should be directed. Even in the passages that I have written recently, I am not describing or talking about actions taken, but those actions that are against God or me for that matter.
“9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.” — 1 Kings 11:9-10 (ESV)
See above, God is not angry with Solomon for actions taken, but for turning away from Him. God is concerned with the work that I am doing for Him. He cares for me, comforts me, protects me, and lifts me up so that I am able to do the work that He has for me. It is when I am destructive to those works that things get a bit messy and God may be come angry with me. He is angry that His work is not being carried out, not that I have done something, but that I have not done that which was asked of me.
Solomon’s actions as king were not in question and to even show that to him, God did not take anything from him during his reign. God vowed to take the kingdom away from the house of Solomon, but not during his reign, during the reign of his son.
“11Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, ‘Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. 12Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.’” — 1 Kings 11:11-12 (ESV)
Here I see that the LORD was working to restore His kingdom. God was angry with the actions of Solomon for turning away from Him, and where He brought it to the attention of Solomon and afforded him the opportunity to correct his actions, the punishment for those actions was still going to take place. The rule of Solomon God allowed to continue and then the consequences were realized after his rule was completed. Again, God was angry with the actions against Him and not the other actions.
I take part in a lot of actions in my life. Some of them are great and others of them, not so much. It is all of my actions that I am accountable for, although those that create anger should be those that go against someone else, and not just my actions in general. No matter the actions of others, if those actions are not going against me, then my role is to love and forgive. And when the actions go against me, I am to be angry with the action against me and not the person or any other actions they happen to be involved. I am not in the business of being angry for the sake of others, unless those others are not able to fend for themselves.
Where is it that you are directing your anger? Are you angry at the actions of others? What if you directed you anger only in those instances when the actions are against you and in all other situations you just saw as actions?
Trevor's Thoughts 