Whose Heart Do I Have?

But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. Jonah 4:1

We often read the story of Jonah and at first draw the wrong conclusion for why he ran. We assume he feared the people of Nineveh or thought himself incapable of carrying out the mission God assigned to him. After all, he was being sent to a people known for their cruelty and godless lives. Given the same assignment some might conclude, “Why go? It is no use. They will never change.” It is easy to fall into the trap of picking and choosing where we want to go and who we want to share the gospel with depending on how we think they will respond. If most people knew someone was definitely going to turn to God they would not be able to go to them quickly enough. But if it seems impossible (given their life style, religious background, or poor reputation) we grow hesitant.

But fear or discouragement are not the reasons for Jonah trying to escape God’s call on his life. It is in the last chapter of Jonah the real reason is given. Following a great city-wide revival that most evangelists and pastors would die for, he storms off enraged that God was compassionate. He would have rather seen no repentance and God’s wrath poured out on this city of 120,000 people than to see grace, compassion, mercy, and loving kindness displayed. Why? Because they were his enemies and the enemies of his nation. He had one thought in mind and that was that God would judge and destroy them. There was no desire for forgiveness, compassion, or mercy. Where they would spend eternity was not his concern.

In recent days I have seen individuals within the body of Christ display the same animosity toward the immigration problems, toward cults and other religions, and toward Iraq. Are there reasons for concern? Yes! Are the actions of individuals and nations wrong? Yes! Should we come against false teaching that leads people astray? Yes! But at the same time let us not forget that souls are at stake. God longs to be compassionate to EVERY person. His desire is for them to come to know Christ and spend eternity with Him….the same as He desired for each of us who know Christ. Do my attitude, words, and actions display God’s heart or Jonah’s heart? While I know it is necessary to protect our country, may I not forget the very souls Christ died for.

Father, give me Your heart! I repent of my Jonah-like tendencies. Amen.