Have you ever been angry with God? I’ve encountered many people in the course of the past 25 years in ministry that were angry with God. Elisha, the great Prophet, also encountered people who were angry with God. The Shunammite had lost her only son and she came to Elisha angry and bitter. But Elisha didn’t rebuke her or correct her or preach to her. Dilday observes that “She even accused him and God of deceit. They had given her a son and then suddenly and capriciously taken him away.” Instead of rebuking her or taking the defensive, Elisha wisely discerned beneath her wild words and rough approach an aching misery.
Sometimes, because of a tragedy or disappointment, we get angry with God; but if we cling to Him in faith, He will translate our rough words and bitter thoughts into petitions and will be swift to overlook our anger and answer us.
Like Elijah before him, Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son back to life. He responded to her hurt and sorrow by answering her prayer disguised as anger. God understands us and knows how we are formed. The Psalmist reminds us that God “remembers that we are but dust.” He says, “…as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him…”
Since God deals with us in this way, how then might we deal with each other?
Chuck
“Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can lie with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11