Anger and Disobedience

So here's a tough post which for me sums up the walk of 2008. Since October this year, I've asked God clearly how he would wish me to see things as we approach 2009. Through at least 3 people and/or situations, He told us (Ellie and I)to look at Jonah.

Jonah?

But wasn't he the spoilt, disobedient brat with an anger problem, who was trying to second-guess God?

Yeah.

Ok, so this was always going to be a little too "honest" and close to the knuckle for me, but it will shape a future if it's God speaking.

I've spent a lot of time in 2009 feeling a dejected, angry and confused. I was really hoping for some things to move on, but apparently they didn't. What I failed to see however, was that I hadn't obeyed God on a key area of my own life, whilst I was busy telling Him how to deal with the "Ninevah's" I saw all around me.

"One day long ago, God's Word came to Jonah, Amittai's son: "Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer." But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from God as he could get."

But God doesn't need to me to tell Him about those other things. He needs me to respond to His calls and direction on my life.

God said, "What do you have to be angry about?"

So really, I got angry due to my own disobedience and lack of covenant-keeping with God.

But as we enter 2009, my prayer is changing. I wish to remember God. I have now decided to forget resolutions, and make a covenant of obedience in one key area of my life. I'm calling out rom the belly of the whale!

"When my life was slipping away,
I remembered God,
And my prayer got through to you,
made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds,
walk away from their only true love.
But I'm worshiping you, God,
calling out in thanksgiving!
And I'll do what I promised I'd do!
Salvation belongs to God!"

Ellie and I are studying this book (Jonah) at the mo, and I'll post more as it pops up. But the key question for me remains.

"When we get angry at God, is it always because of what He has done / not done? Or are we sometimes ignoring our own responsibilities?"