Praying for Grace (Jonah 3-4)
What is striking in this section of the story of Jonah is God’s amazing compassion, and His call for Jonah to have the same forgiving grace.
The purpose of Jonah’s mission to the Ninevites was to bring them to repentance so that God might shower His mercy upon them. Jonah faithfully (finally) carried out the task the Lord gave him, but He did not share in the Lord’s purpose. He didn’t want the Ninevites to receive mercy. I don’t think he went any further than just wanting them to feel bad. I can imagine him taking delight in preaching the law and judgment on them, hoping it made them feel awful and afraid.
But no further. God’s focus however was on mercy, compassion, and grace. Jonah hadn’t grasped or taken to heart the big picture.
What is my attitude toward those who are “enemies” of God’s kingdom? What would I like for those who are working to oppose God’s mission, whether through shaming, legal obstruction or even violent means? What about those who just make following God hard in my life. Of course we will say that we want them to repent, but is that borne out of a God-worked love for them, or do I just want them to repent so they feel bad for their sin? In other words, do I want them to hear law so that they are punished by it, or do I want them to hear law for the sake of grace?
My prayer today is that God continue His work of changing my heart to be more like His heart. I pray that I may view each person I encounter today with the eyes of grace, and with a heart of compassion.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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