Have You Ever Spoken Against God And Made Him Angry?

I have been saved for more than half my life and I don't know that I have ever thought too much about whether I had made God mad or not. I know I have saddened him with poor decisions and choices, but I just don't know that I have pondered on Him being "angry" with ~ much less feeling as if I have spoken against Him at any time. I certainly haven't equated myself with the Children of Israel who couldn't seem to be pleased no matter what God did for them.

As I was reading Psalm 78 this morning, I was reminded of some of those great and mighty things that God had done for the Children of Israel. God showed that mightiness ~ from the many plagues He "bestowed" upon Pharoah and his people ~ to the great miracles He performed again and again to provide and protect His chosen as they wandered aimlessly. Verses 19-22 say Yea, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed, can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this and was wroth; so a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God and trusted not in his salvation.

At that moment the Holy Spirit began to work upon my heart. With shame I remembered many wonderful blessings that had occurred over the past few months and still unbelief would say "But can God do this over here? Can God do that over there? I know He has moved in such a mighty way but is He gonna keep doing it? Is He going to take care of me and my girls? Is He going to provide for our needs? Indeed, with shame, I began to ponder how all of this doubting had made my Lord and Savior feel.

When we doubt God ~ for any reason ~ it is wrong and it is sin. I supposed that just made Him sad when I did that. And I do think that it saddens Him but the fact that He becomes angry with our unbelief just makes it all the more profound that we must avoid doubting. We must trust that He has His children's best interests at heart ~ no matter how black the storm clouds are ~ He is watching each step, each move, each moment and that is greater and more wonderful than anything any human can do for us here on earth. He has our back. I don't know about you but I don't want to hurt Him simply because the circumstances of life can ~ at times ~ loom pretty big before my eyes. For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Oh Mighty and Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for my unbelief. Forgive me for complaining and doubting that you do have my best interest at heart. Forgive me for not believing that You've had my back the whole time.

In All Things ~ Don't Complain

I believe there are no coincidences in life ~ ever. I was driving down the road recently and something I had been reading about in the Bible just jumped into my head. And, I suppose, it was the parallel that was made in my mind and then in my heart that really got me to thinking.

I had been reading in the Book of Numbers about the Children of Israel and how God reacted to their complaining and murmuring as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It displeased and disappointed Him that they didn’t trust Him enough to provide for them (Numbers 11:1). And it got me to thinking about when I complain - and how that must displease God. Frankly, it is an expression of disbelief toward God's order in my life. Complaining is unbelief in His Word ~ "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). If I believe that the Lord is in control of my life and is working ALL THINGS for my good then I need to stop complaining and starting thanking Him for the plan He is working together for me.

Aw.... easy preaching and hard living you might be thinking. I’ll have to agree. But it was what came to my mind after that initial thought that caused me to really examine my heart. At first it was hard to remember but my thoughts began going back to different times in the past when I had given place to complaining and grumbling about my life. I remembered that when I started praising God for those "all things"(Romans 8:28) ~ when I began to show appreciation to God for guiding and leading me through this ole world despite the ups and downs ~ that those "all things" began to be taken care of in one way or another. (Psalm 50:14-15). A friend put it this way ~ "Grumbling and complaining only prolongs your agony. Praise moves God to change your situation."

Have you ever prayed for something so hard you can taste it? Well, that is where I am. And my heart needs to be right in order for God to move - however He may move. It won’t be easy but I’m going to try with God’s strength to be thankful in all things ~ it’s just the right thing to do.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings
Philippians 2:14