Mercy is Still a Must
Our Right to be Angry?

Scripture Reading: Jonah 4:5-11

Key Verse: Jonah 4:4
But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”

God talks to Jonah about Jonah’s anger problem. God asked Jonah if he thought that he had a right to be angry. In other words, God was saying: “Jonah, you have no right to be angry!” Yet, Jonah still did not get it. God had to give him a living illustration of God’s right to have mercy on whom He chooses.

Jonah sat down outside the city to see if God would destroy it. A vine grew up and supplied shade for Jonah. But, the next day, God sent a worm to eat the vine, destroying Jonah’s comfortable shade. Jonah was very upset with God for destroying the wonderful vine that had supplied comfort from the scorching sun.

God then zeroed in for the conclusion of His illustration. He pointed out to Jonah that Nineveh had over 120,000 people who were lost without hope unless God showed mercy. Yet, Jonah was showing more passion for the vine that supplied him shade than for people. Jonah was more concerned about his own comfort than the salvation of thousands of people. Ouch!

Does that last statement sting you like it did me? Have you caught yourself, as I have, being more concerned for your own situation and comfort than lost people who are far from God? Let’s repent of that selfish kind of thinking and pray for God to put His love in our hearts. God is looking for ambassadors of His grace and distributors of His love.

Father, search my heart and see if there are any offensive ways within me! Purge my heart from self-focus and turn my eyes to those who need You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.