Good morning!
Text: Jonah; Psalm 84
What glorious passages we have today! I have read and studied Jonah in depth (pun), and it is a favorite. What an ironic picture into the human heart that Jonah would proclaim that, “Salvation belongs to the Lord” in 2:9 and then get mad at the Lord’s having brought a measure of salvation to those lousy Ninevites (4:1). Jonah had been disobedient to God, and yet God was pleased to forgive and rescue him. That is the good character of our great God As Jonah himself says,
“…I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (Jonah 4:2)
Jonah’s attitude is a challenge for our hearts even this day. It is so easy to receive God’s grace in our own lives and yet demand His justice for others. It can be so hard for us to have mercy toward others. We judge people, we hold grudges and we can even find it impossible to forgive.
Consider how good the Lord has been to us, lavishing His mercy, grace and forgiveness upon us. And, just imagine how much glory the Lord would get if we were as “merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” as He is.
in Him, Mike