God and Us

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.  So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.  Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.  Jonah 4:1-6

We often focus on how God is loving and righteous. Other times, we discuss His discipline or forgiveness.  However, one thing that God is that I at times fail to acknowledge is merciful.  The other day, I was upset over something, and I vowed to not follow something I knew God told me to do in scripture.  I was being totally honest that my heart was not into it, and spoke out.  While my comments did not hurt anyone, I know God would have a legitimate issue with what I was saying.  Yet, God was neither vengeful nor did I fall under His righteous discipline.  He just listened, and let me talk to Him.  After a timely debate with . . . well God and me, I was able to reset and follow what He asked of me.  It was then that I remembered the story of Jonah.  Reading it put things in perspective.

God know exactly what we need when we need it. In the story of Jonah, Jonah fully expects God’s wrath to come down on the city of Nineveh for their sinful ways.  However, God shows mercy when He sees the city “had put a stop to their evil ways,” and “He changed His mind.” (Jonah 3:10)  Jonah, apparently disappointed because there was not the fireworks show he expected, was angry feeling God had somehow let him down.  That felt similar to where I was the other day.  However instead of totally lighting into Jonah, He displayed mercy on Him for a moment.  Then, He educated Jonah to understand His righteous mercy.  The story is a great reminder to all of us for we too will have moments where we just do not like what God is saying to us.  However, just as He was to both the city of Nineveh and Jonah himself, God is full of mercy and compassion for His people.  As such, we are to always remember this when those around us lash out and deserve punishment or their just due.

Having compassion for others is a sign of God’s strength in us. It shows that we understand there is something bigger and more important than ourselves.  God shows us at times mercy for our wrongs, and offered His only Son as a shining example for us to follow.  Yes, we can be whacked on the knee when we don’t ‘get it,’ but God is patient with us.  Along those lines, we too should practice mercy and compassion toward others.  That makes for a better relationship with both God and others.  Where can you show greater compassion toward others?  How will you respond when God shows you mercy?  My prayer is that we are filled with God’s mercy when He allows us to have a talk between . . . God and us.  Amen.