Making God Mad

Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds, raining down hail and burning coals. Psalm 18: 10-12 NLT

Okay, here we have fire and brimstone falling to the earth. Up until that last part of verse 12, the imagery of God traveling through the sky was actually beautiful. God is mounted on a might angel, he soars on the wings of the wind, he is shrouded in dark clouds then his glory breaks through like sunshine after a rain storm. What beautiful and majestic imagery!

Then it gets spoiled because God doesn't just shine upon the earth; God sends hail and burning coals down to the earth.

Seems like God is still pretty angry. Pissed is actually a better word for what I see happening here -- if you'll pardon that expression. God is still majestic, God is still powerful but God is still very mad.

Have you ever felt like you had made God mad? What was the hail and brimstone that God seemed to rain down on you? Were you surprised? Do you still feel like God was punishing you?

I think we can make God mad. I just don't think God is going to send down burning coals on our heads to punish us. If God were going to do that, wouldn't God have done that when Jesus was murdered?

God, we know we can sometimes make you pretty angry. But you still love us and you offer us forgiveness and mercy. Thank you, thank you, thank you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims