God Cares About Our Hearts: Jonah 4
When God spared the city of Nineveh that had a population of 120,000 people, Jonah was very upset with God. He knew that God was gracious, slow to anger, merciful, and had great kindness. Jonah left the city and went to the outskirts where he could view the city. He was angry that God did not punish the people and he told God that he knew this would happen and that is why he went in the opposite direction to Tarshish in the first place.
As Jonah was on the outskirts and depressed, God prepared a gourd to grow to provide him with shade from the heat of the sun. He was happy to have the shade and comfort. The next day God sent a worm to eat the gourd and sent a strong wind with the heat beating on Jonah’s head and body. Jonah was so faint that he wanted to die. He felt sorry for the gourd that had made him comfortable the day before and now he was angry and wanted to die. God showed him that he had more pity on the gourd than he did for the 120,000 people that lived in the city of Nineveh.
God is a loving and compassionate Father that cares about his creation. His desire is for all to be saved, but He gives each one of us free will to choose the right way and separate ourselves from evil. As children of God, He wants us to have love and compassion for others, even our enemies. We may want them to be punished by God even when they change their ways. Our hearts must reflect our Father’s heart and that is to share the good news of the gospel to others and to pray for their salvation.
Personal Development Tip of the Week:
I challenge you this week to not get flustered or upset if someone treats you wrongly. I know this might be a difficult thing to do but we have to remember we don’t know what’s going on in someone's life when they decide to lash out or speak negatively about us.
In Luke 6:28, it says, Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (NIV).
I know it’s hard not to want to push back against someone who mistreats you or demonstrates anger towards you but you have to remember that that person might be going through something very difficult in their life. Maybe they just needed to lash out to make them feel a little better.
And if you can be the bigger person who lets them release that anger and demonstrates love back by simply not reacting and praying for them it will help also create more peace and joy in your life.
We already have enough going on in our lives to let some small encounter steal our joy. I know this hard to do but try your best this week to meet any type of hate or negatively towards you with love.
Prayer For The Week
Dear Heavenly Father, I am praying over this individual's week ahead. Bless them to trust in you with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding. You are always working behind the scenes for our greater good and I pray that this person remembers that this week no matter what happens to them, good or bad. I pray for your protection over their life and their family from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet and to remember that they can do all things through Chirst who strengthens them in Jesus name I claim Amen!
-Dayne
PS: If you would like more tools and resources to help you get closer to God consider checking out our New 31 Day Devotional Prayer Journal available at https://bit.ly/352QxAk
God Cares About Our Hearts: Jonah 4