God's Anger

9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. 11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. 12 Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.”

1 Kings 11:9-13 (ESV)

As we go into the New Year I want to share with you some of the Characteristics of God so we can grow to understand a little part of what He expects from us as we attempt to serve Him in our own lives. We often wonder or at least I have how God feels about choices we make and to be honest He tells us in His word that he feels anger and sorrow because of those choices that are less than pleasing to Him. Just like every other father might feel when their children make a poor and unwise decision. The decision that seems to affect His attitude towards His people the most in Scripture is when they have chosen to worship other Gods. When we look at the Ten Commandments it’s the first directive He gives us.

7 “You must not have any other god but me.

Deuteronomy 5:7 (NLT)

He gives more detail in verse eight but seven sums it up very well. We often fail to recognize when something else has replaced Him in our lives. We have become so disinterested in living a life that is pleasing to Him and we only worry about ourselves. We have allowed the idea that we are able to do it all and that we no longer need God that we have in many cases replaced Him with our own selfish desires. Those range from Sunday football to our jobs and a thousand other things that we allow to become more important than spending time with Him. We have allowed so many different things to replace our worship and reverence for God that we only turn to Him when we hit a wall that we cannot find a way around, over or through. Today we must examine our hearts and ask whom do I serve? How do I spend my time? What are my priorities? Is God sitting in the throne over your life or is something else? If so today is the day to change that before it is too late.  He loves you and me and in that love He will show mercy to us and the generations to come. I pray God Blesses you as you start on a new day. God bless you as you walk in the light of His Word.