Friday, May 6
Anger and Grace
Scripture: 1 Samuel 11-12, Mark 6
1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly came powerfully on him, and his anger burned furiously.
1 Samuel 12:13–14 “Now here is the king you’ve chosen, the one you requested. Look, this is the king the Lord has placed over you. 14 If you fear the Lord, worship and obey him, and if you don’t rebel against the Lord’s command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God.”
1 Samuel 12:20–22 Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart. 21 Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless. 22 The Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.”
Observation
Two things.
First, when Saul heard of Nahash’s plan to gouge out the right eye of everyone in Jabesh Gilead, he burned with anger. But it was a righteous anger, inspired by the Spirit of God who came upon him.
I often teach that we should get rid of all anger (Ephesians 4:31), and that even our “righteous anger” is suspect (James 1:19-20). God’s anger is righteous, but I’m not God, and my anger is usually selfish.
However, there are exceptions, and this is one. Clearly Saul’s anger is inspired by God’s Spirit and is righteous. And it motivated him to rally the troops and prevent a great injustice.
Second, the Israelites sinned in requesting a king, and yet God allowed them to have a king and did not abandon them, but promised that if they would seek the Lord and obey Him, they would still be His people and He would still bless them—even with a king.
This is one of many places where God in His mercy and grace makes accommodation for His people. It’s not an excuse to disobey God, but it’s encouraging to know that even when we do, God does not give up on us, and finds a way to work with us.
Application
First, I want to continue to “get rid of all anger”. Anger has not served me well. It has very rarely been righteous. However, when confronted with obvious evil, I don’t want to be indifferent. I want to be led by God’s Spirit. And I recognize that God’s Spirit may inspire both righteous anger and redemptive action. But make sure it’s God’s Spirit and not just my fallible human anger. Caution urged…rare exceptions acknowledged.
Second, I’m grateful that God in His great mercy and grace gives us second chances (and third and fourth…). This failure wasn’t final for Israel, and my failures aren’t final either. When I take a wrong turn, God doesn’t abandon me. He may call for a u-turn, or He may (like my GPS) recalculate my route. He is committed to getting me to His desired end, even when I wander. I understand why some people may have a hard time believing that Almighty God “adapts” to us, but it seems He does. Again…not an excuse for disobedience, but an encouragement that God is faithful, even when I’m not! I’m grateful!
Prayer: Lord, help me to continue to shed my selfish anger, and also be responsive to the Spirit’s leading to stop injustice. And thank You for being so gracious and faithful to me, never giving up on me even when I make a bad decision. Grateful!