LEARNING DAILY

 

Jonah 4:1-2, But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So, he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah. Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I knew that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.”

 

I know some of you who are reading this and know me, are probably going to laugh out loud when you read this this morning. Bear with me. I am feeling a little like Jonah this morning. I am not mad at God, but like Jonah did not want God to deliver the terrible Ninevites, I would like to see God “get after” (I hesitate saying anything worse) those in leadership (and those following them) making horrible, ungodly, and unrighteous decisions for those who want to live on the narrow way. There I said it and I said it with all the respect I can gather. At the same time, I know God is in control and has all things – not just a few – under His control.

 

God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of repentance to the Assyrian people. These people were an extremely hostile people. You know the story about Jonah heading in the opposite direction from Nineveh, God causing a terrible storm, Jonah being thrown overboard and a great fish swallowing him. For three days he was in who knows what in the belly of the great fish and spit up on the third day on the shore of Nineveh. There Jonah was obedient to deliver the message that in forty days God was going to overthrow Nineveh. The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, repented, and God canceled His plan for judgment. Perhaps the people repented so quickly because of their worship of the fish god Dagan. And that “displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry”.

 

That brings me to the anger I am feeling today. I am so tired of the lies, the deceit, and what is being done in this country that is leading to God’s judgment. I want the rapture to occur and then God’s judgment to reign down on those who have made such terrible decisions. That being said, I am also different from Jonah. Jonah’s problem, it seems, was he was not really dedicated to God’s will. As was the case for Nineveh, God is more concerned about people repenting; His primary desire is to show mercy and not to execute punishment and judgment. God is always moved with compassion for sinners who sincerely desire to repent. Read and remember the words of Peter, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  Christ delays His return so His message of salvation is preached to the whole world (Matthew 24:14). He wants everyone to hear the gospel and wants no one to perish. That truth does not mean all will say yes to it. Sadly, those who reject this message will perish; they will walk the broad way that leads to eternal destruction. That is their choice.

 

You and I must pray for the salvation of those in high places and those around us each day. We pray that the message of salvation reaches their heart and they say yes to it. Yes I am angry at what is being done in this country; but the only way it will be resolved is by God’s people standing firm and being obedient to God’s Word by praying for those who need His offer of salvation.