Date: 06-25-2020

Title: Jonah Pouts

(S) cripture:
    Jonah 4:1-3 (NASB) But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. 3 “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.”

(O) bservation:
    Jonah did not like the people of Nineveh, he thought they deserved to be punished by God. He first refuses to go there to preach but God gets him there anyway. When he preaches all the people repent, much to Jonah’s displeasure. Instead of rejoicing with God, Jonah pouts because they did not get what he thought they deserved.

(A) pplication:
    I wonder how often I do not share the gospel with people because I think they should get what they deserve. I neglect to remember that I did not get what I deserved. I have received the grace and mercy of God through faith in Jesus. How can I keep that to myself? Today I will share and rejoice with those who respond and continue to pray for those who reject Christ.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, keep me from the pride of Jonah. I want to rejoice not pout when people come to you. Amen