The other night in a discussion with a Christian brother Harry, we were talking about a specific time in each of our lives when we became angry with God. Because each of us kneolw God and His word we also knew deep down that God was not responsible for our hurt, but we also knew that He could have prevented it. So what exactly was God doing within us at the time of tragedy, which resulted in our anger toward Him? Was it part of His testing of us to allow or create a circumstance whereby He forces us to prove our belief or our trust in Him? Was He pulling out of us a determination to confront Him angrily but not really honestly, and to do that simply because we know that He is God, and that because He is God things could be different? And in this particular situation of ours, we maybe even had thought that it should have been different.

How and why do we get led into such a position? God’s word and His promises sometimes will lead us there. Example: we lose a godly young family member or a similar friend, and immediately we think, but God you promised Your children 70 years; and really God you promised us much more then even that. How could this have happened?

Anger in us means that we want to hold God accountable for His word, and thus we are angered, but maybe not all of it is at God, but rather more at ourselves. So, why are we in this place? What is God’s purpose for me in this? It’s obvious that He knows already our reaction. So, He needs me to know what He already knows about me. You oh man are without excuse. Is this just a test for my understanding? A test of my ability or lack thereof of trusting Him for things and circumstance no matter what? Maybe so, because there is that concern from our Lord, and He is justified and right to be concerned. So could it be even deeper?

Jesus said to His disciples, and to us through them:

John 14:12 “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater [works] than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. 13 “And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it.]. 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (NASB2020)

Truth is we believe the stuff that’s easy. The stuff that went on in the past that proved Jesus’ love for us, but when the onus is placed upon us to prove our keeping of His word; then can we have a pure belief: asking Him for a present miracle like Elisha did for the widows son, who had died? It’s more likely that then we are full of excuses.

And the truth also is that God has every right to be mad with us, because we don’t really believe as we say that we do. I’m not preaching to the choir here, because in this vein we are without a choir. We are all mostly guilty. And I am not a soloist when it comes to this, because I am no different than you, I have no right to critique other believers concerning our faith.

But I do know this, we will answer for not believing when others need our faith in action to bolster them and their faith. We can offer excuses, miracles are over, they were just to get the church off the ground. I can’t put Jesus on the spot — that would be tempting God, when the truth is we are not willing to put our own faith or lack thereof on display for everyone around to see. We ask for prayer, but do we do our part?

If you and I don’t awaken to our plight in this country and soon we will answer to our children when we lose this country, and to God for the country’s waining in its faith.

Do you and I have the right to change what Jesus tells us that He would do? I’m just asking? What would happen if we held onto God like Jacob did when he wrestled an entire night and had his hip thrown out of joint. And Jacob did not even have the knowledge of the promises from God or His Son that we have. Is not the fact of our knowing God’s Word a form of incrimination when we don’t heed it?

Does this mean that I have the right to be mad at God when my prayer (no matter how fervent) is not heard? Our motives matter. James says:

James 1:19 You know [this,] my beloved brothers [and sisters.] Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, [and] slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. (NASB2020)

James 2:14 What use is it, my brothers [and sisters,] if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (NASB2020)

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend [what you request] on your pleasures. (NASB2020)

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? [Then] he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? [Then] he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. (NASB2020)

It appears that evil things are about to get real on this earth, and only the prayers of righteous men will allow faith to endure in such times.

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him. (NASB2020)