Beech Tree News Network

 The population of man usually acts in exactly the opposite manner as God (Isa. 5:20-23). God’s ways are higher than man’s (Isa. 55:8-9). It is not in man that walks to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23). At the same time, it is possible for us to know God’s will and act upon it when we read and obey the word of God (Phil. 4:8-9)!

    Seeing that man tends to think in the opposite manner as God, it should be no surprise that man would get angry at the wrong things as well. Often, the things which anger God do not anger man, and vice versa. Please consider the following examples:

    David got angry when Nathan spoke the parable of the ewe lamb that was killed (II Sam. 12:1-6). He was ready for vengeance as well as restitution after hearing this parable. Yet, when told of the death of an actual person, not a lamb in a parable, his response to Joab was, “Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him” (II Sam. 11:25). Why? How can this be? David looked upon the death of Uriah, one of his “mighty men” (II Sam. 23:22-39) in his army as nothing, but is enraged at the death of a lamb?

    Jonah had a similar problem. After preaching in Nineveh, the people obeyed the word of God (Jonah 3). When they obeyed, Jonah became very angry (Jonah 4:1). He pleaded with God to take his life. God did not do it, so he went to the east side of the city to watch the events in town (Jonah 4:5).

    When Mary took a box of ointment and anointed Christ before His crucifixion and burial, we see Judas being upset and angry at this event (Matt. 26:8-9; Mk. 14:4; Jn. 12:4-5). How could Judas have been upset when a wonderful sacrifice occurred in preparation for the Lord’s burial (Matt. 26:12-13; Mk. 14:8-9; Jn. 12:7)? His reasoning was this oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John says that the real reason was that he wanted the money since he “had the bag” and would steal out of it (Jn. 12:6).

    When Christ was upon this earth, we find that when He spoke, some folks would become angry with Him. The scribes, Pharisees, and even folks in the city of Nazareth became angry when Jesus spoke words that they didn’t like (Lk. 6:11, 4:16-28). In these, and other cases, we see Jesus speaking the truth. Yet, when the truth did not fit what they wanted to do, then the people became angry at Jesus. How could these people become angry when they heard those words?

    In like manner, we can become angry for the wrong reasons if we are not careful. For example, when some acquire a disease like cancer, heart disease, etc., some men have a tendency to blame God. Some may even lose their faith over events like this. In reality, those folks are angry at the wrong One. Disease and death came into this world as a consequence of sin (Gen. 3:16-19). Sin came into the world because men listened to Satan rather than God (Gen. 3:6). Thus, folks who are angry at God over disease and death are angry at the wrong One!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167