Psalm 78:20–25 20Behold, 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? 21Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel; 22Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation: 23Though he had commanded the clouds from above, And opened the doors of heaven, 24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, And had given them of the corn of heaven. 25Man did eat angels’ food: He sent them meat to the full.
God got Angry!
We hear very little about the angry God.
We hear and read lots about his love but little about his wrath.
God does get angry!
Unlike ours, his anger is always justified and completely controlled. Thank the Lord that is true! I have often deserved his wrath but was the recipient of his longsuffering mercy.
So, what makes God angry?
Today’s reading from the Psalm tells us one thing that riles him.
Psalm 78:21–22 21Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel; 22Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation:
God got angry because he wasn’t believed, because he was not trusted.
That makes sense doesn’t it?
Have you ever had your character questioned by someone for whom you cared?
Have you ever thought or said any of these things?
“He should know that I am not that way”
“She should know that I love her too much to leave her hanging”
“I can’t believe that they would question my character!”
If you have ever been upset because someone should have known you better, then you have a taste of what God must feel when we don’t trust him.
To doubt us makes sense sometimes doesn’t it?
We are in fact, only human. Let’s be honest with ourselves, inconsistency and momentary lapses of judgement are not that uncommon for any of us. We get upset when someone we love doubts us but should we?
God, however, is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is consistently good and gracious. His love and care have been proven time and time again.
How dare we not trust God!
The Psalmist shows how the Lord had provided for Israel despite their doubts. He had fed them well, even in the desert wilderness. He had sent fowl for meat, water to drink and bread from heaven and yet they continued to question his care.
Do their doubts sound familiar?
Have you like this bald believer questioned his care despite his record?
Have you failed to believe his promises?
Are you guilty of doubting his great heart for you?
Consider dear reader, the insult this is to his character and repent.
Our doubt deserves his anger, but our faith pleases the Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Have you failed to trust him and rejected his offer of salvation? I plead with you dear soul, trust him while there is time or face his justified wrath.
My readings for 6/29/20