Then the LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” – Jonah 4:
Jonah, in expressing his anger against God, was being honest about his feelings – something good; but we should not for a moment think that all of our feelings towards God are justified.
God likes to ask us questions, because they reveal our heart. It also put us on proper ground before God, because He has every right to question us and we owe Him answers.
· Where are you? Who told you that you were naked? What is this you have done? (Genesis 3)
· Where is your brother Abel? What have you done? (Genesis 4)
· What have you done? (1 Samuel 13:11)
· Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? (2 Samuel 12)
· Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? (Isaiah 6)
· Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16)
· What do you want Me to do for you? (Matthew 20)
· Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22)
· Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9)
Is it right for you to be angry: This is the question we should and even must ask ourselves if we find ourselves angry with God. The answer must always be “No, LORD. All Your ways are right even if I don’t understand them.” Yes, Jonah was angry towards God, and yes, it was right for Jonah to state his anger towards God; but he must also repent of his anger towards God.
The most angry I was at God was during some family issues while a teenager. I remember punching a wall and blaming God for everything that had happened. When we let our anger boil over without telling God, we usually forget God all together. That was me for the next couple years of my life.
But forgetting God altogether can’t be the answer. Are we not reasonable enough as people to be both angry and repentant? This morning is your opportunity to be both. Admit to God the ways you are angry. BUT Repent to him acknowledging that His way is THE BEST way even if it makes you angry