Jonah 4:1-3

Jonah 4:1-3 (ESV): “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.””

What mercy has done for you is to be expected in kind toward others—even your enemies. Don’t be surprised if God acts in love toward those you hate.

After Nineveh repented, Jonah was angry. He prayed, “I knew You were going to do this, God. You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting. Kill me now, because I don’t want to live in a world where these people exist.” The very same mercy Jonah received from God in the belly of the fish, he is now condemning God for extending to others. That is a serious heart issue. Love your enemies! That is the heart of God.

How would you respond if God saved your greatest enemy? Your response reveals your true heart condition. Elisabeth Elliot is a powerful example of what we can become. She rejoiced when the Auca Indians who killed her husband came to Christ. She said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” Ponder that today as you examine your heart. Amen?

Father, thank You for being so merciful and gracious to me. Help me to extend that same mercy and grace to others—especially those I despise. Change my heart, I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.