*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*DO NOT MAKE GOD ANGRY.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
2 Samuel 24:1 says *Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.* (NIV).
*Insight and Highlight.*
Nahum 1:6 *Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Mistakes are misconceived, miscalculated, and misguided judgment or conclusion.
They are usually not delliberate. At times, a mistake could be an honest mistake, not intentional and not intended to offend but end up being an offense.
Mistakes, as indeliberate as they could be, could be costly and fatal, though ultimately pardonable.
In 2 Sam 24, David made a mistake by taking a census of the children of Israel and Judah.
The nature of its occurrence is recorded in two instances.
2 Samuel 24:1 says *Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.* (NIV).
2 Chron 21:1 says *Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.*
David's error, according to 2 Sam 24:1, is attributable to the Lord, who incited David.
His error in 2 Chron 21:1 is attributable to Satan.
What can we learn from here?
We can learn and understand God's emotion by first asking ourselves
"Why would God incite David to do what was against Him?
James 1:13 says *....for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:*
Paul tells us that when we are tempted, *....God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.*, 1 Cor 10:13.
From the foregoing, we can translate the meaning of 2 Sam 24:1, which says
*Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them....* to mean that when God is angry, He may sovereignly permit Satan to act, and Satan will do evil things. That is to say, He will remove His hedge around us for Satan to act.
This may also open up to adversaries.
This may also be in the form of someone close (a counselor, an associate, a friend, etc) to us who could prompt us into a foolish or sinful decision
To properly understand that God incited David, one may say (going by the above explanation) that God's anger on David opened David up to Satanic activities but not that God called on Satan or encouraged Satan to rise up against David.
When God is not on our side, there will be forces that will incite attacks from Satan to us.
This incitement will come because God had withdrawn Himself.
We must remember here that not all attacks from the enemy are indications that God is against us (Job 1).
Though we must respect that God does bring evil upon people who fail to repent and who persistently make Him angry (Isaiah 45:7), nevertheless, we must remember that God is good.
He will never expose us to what He knows will harm us or harm His relationship with Him.
Lam 3:33 *For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.*
If, however, we offend Him, the hedge around us will be broken, and the serpent will bite. This was what happened to David.
When God is angry, instead of blaming God, let us look inwards ourselves and make corrections by supplications to Him, in repentance.
Remember, God is good always!
Do not make Him angry.
*Remorse corner.*
Beware, do not break the hedge of protection.
Eccl 10:18 *..... whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.*
*Call to Word action.*
Psalm 19:12-13 *Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Pray God to restrain you from any contempt against Him
*Prayer.*
Lord, strengthen me to recognize any defiance against You and let me resist them, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and be blessed as you come inyo His presence today.
God bless you.
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