"Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused."
I know that King Saul of the Old Testament is not the greatest example; but this is an interesting text. Have you ever considered that there is no absolute disparity between the Holy Spirit (and His blessed influences on a person), and righteous anger? The wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God (Jas. 1:20); but this does not mean that godly people should not, on occasion, be angry.
In fact, we *are* to "be angry," and yet not "sin," (Eph. 4:26a). At any rate, I'm not trying to stir anyone up. Still, do you see sin in yourself, in those you love, and in the world in which you live? If you do, it should upset you (and me). A proper response is one of godly warfare against it; and we cannot fight well without being riled-up a bit.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man is shaken in his own right-
eousness, then he sees the emptiness and the lying disposition of it."
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
