via TJC
“But it greatly displeased Jonah and he resented it. So he prayed to Adonai and said, “Please, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my own country? That’s what I anticipated, fleeing to Tarshish—for I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and full of kindness, and relenting over calamity.”
Jonah 4:1-2 TLV
In Chapter 3 of Jonah, he has prayed to Adonai and just been rescued from his circumstance trapped in the fish at the bottom of the ocean. He has been spit out on land and Adonai speaks to him again sending him on his way to Nineveh to deliver a message from the most High God to repent lest they suffer a great calamity.
Jonah was reluctant to accept this errand from the Lord because his heart was hardened against these people of Nineveh.
But after delivering the message all the people and animals of Nineveh repented, dressed in sack cloth and even their King sits in Ashes. They beg forgiveness from God and their hearts turn from their wickedness. Jonah leaves the city with anger in his heart.
God challenges Jonah in verse 4 when he is outside the city and again in verse 9 the next day after a plant the Lord caused to grow up to offer him shade is eaten by a worm and Jonah suffers under the hot sun and East wind.
“Jonah, Is it good for you to be so angry”
I can relate to this anger against my fellow man when considering the culture wars in the West or Human Traffic especially if children. I long for the Lord’s righteous judgment against these lawless perpetrators.
I hear God asking me the same question. Is it good to be so angry.
I hear Jesus asking me to obey his commandments: to love the Lord my God with all my heart soul and strength and love my neighbor as myself.
Jesus loved me first while I was still a sinner and still dies for me. Who am I to condemn my neighbor who is also fearfully and wonderfully made. Whom Jesus also died for would they turn and repent.
Daily Battle Order:
Spent time today seeking the Lord and learning more about Jesus and then pray for someone you know that you don’t agree with or May see as an adversary who may be under the delusion of lies. Seek ways to love them while praying for their redemption and salvation.