Don't be like Jonah
Jonah 4:1-2 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.
[2]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 know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.
The story and ministry of Jonah was a very spectacular one in the scripture, God had instructed him to go to the city of Nineveh and preach to them so they can be saved. But he fled to Tarshish which is in opposite direction of his mission.
Many scholars and Scripture readers condemn the action of prophet Jonah for fleeing from God or for abandoning the ministry of salvation he was commissioned for.
But little did we know about the intent of prophet Jonah. As at the time of his ministry, Nineveh was the capital of the Asyrians, and they were the ones prophesied by prophet Isaiah, Amos and Hosea that would invade the Northern kingdom of Israel of which prophet Johan was a citizen.
In simple terms, its like God asking you to go and preach to the person that will soon kill your sons and destroy your home in latter future, to be careful of sudden death that will befall him in less than forty days. If it happens to be you, how will you feel?
You would rather pray that he is never saved from the coming death. Such was the reason why prophet Jonah fled from God.
Even after God ministered to him the second time and he obliged, to his uttermost surprise, the people believed in God and repent from their wicked ways. Yet prophet Jonah became more angrier.
He knew God is full of mercy and grace and that the people will repent from their wicked ways which pose a threat to his own country.
Nevertheless, God cared so much about every soul that lives... Jonah 4:10-11. [10]But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.
[11]And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”
Don't be like prophet Jonah, your enemy may not be God's enemy, He cares for everyone and do not want anyone to perish, rather, be saved and have everlasting life.
Those you see as the most wicked persons on earth may be God's divine tool in years to come. If the early Church had prayed for the death of Saul the persecutor, how would they have experience the power and grace of God in the life of Apostle Paul?
Many people has created resentment in their heart against some people, tribe, people of different colour or language, thereby refuse to preach to them. yet God created all. Your resentment can never stop God from sending the word of grace to them.
Preach the word to all, everyone, those you know or don't know, those you hate and those you love, your enemy inclusive, because every soul is important before God.
Don't be like Jonah, love all, preach to all.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name
2. Lord, forgive me for hating those you love in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the heart to love everyone as your will demands in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.