Verse of the Day 12/20
Jonah 4:4 And the Lord said, "Do you do well to be angry?" English Standard Version (ESV)
If we are to be totally honest with ourselves, at some point in our lives most of us have been angry with God. It may have been due to illness, the loss of a loved one, not getting the promotion that you had hoped and prayed about or a host of other things. The question asked of Jonah is one that is asked of us and we should ask of ourselves. What good does anger, especially misguided anger.
Our men's Bible study group recently completed our study in the book of Jonah and this question began the last passage that we covered. You have to have the context for this one. You can read it in the passage below, Jonah had preached the message warning of the coming destruction if they did not turn from their wicked ways. Jonah, the reluctant prophet delivered a simple message, turn or God will destroy you, and they turned. Jonah was apparently hoping for their destruction and was angry at God for being merciful to them showing compassion.
The stunning part is that Jonah was angry in spite of His acknowledging that God was merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love. Jonah's issue was the recipient of that love.
There is a lot to learn from this verse and from this short book. We should see that God is in control and He does what it takes to accomplish His purposes. In Jonah's case He appointed a storm, a great fish, a plant and a scorching wind at various points to get his attention.
How much will it take to get our attention? He sent His Son, He has shown us mercy and has offered mercy even to those that put Him on the cross saying "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing". He had compassion for the thief on the cross who called out to Him and Jesus responded, "today you will be with me in paradise". There probably were a lot people that would have been up in arms at that statement, but again it showed His mercy and compassion on someone that realized their state and the need of forgiveness.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, there will be those that are ungrateful, even angry over gifts received, but given the opportunity, may we not be a Scrooge, but try to turn hearts by showing joy, by showing mercy, showing compassion and giving hope to those that need to receive the greatest gift that was ever given.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Jonah 3:10-4:4New Living Translation (NLT)
10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah's Anger at the Lord's Mercy
4 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.2 So he complained to the Lord about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen."
4 The Lord replied, "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"
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