A FORGIVING GOD
Read Jonah Chapters 1-4
So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the town. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade till he might see what would become of the city.
Jonah 4:5 (NKJV)
Jonah eventually did what God requested of him to do-preach repentance to the Ninevites (Jonah 3:1-4). He believed that the people were too set in their ways to turn to God. Jonah wanted God to destroy the city. He was very displeased when the people sought after God in prayer and fasting (Chapters 3:5-9). He believed that they were undeserving of forgiveness because of their sinful ways.
God taught Jonah a lesson on forgiveness by causing a plant to grow over him, providing shade, and he was grateful. God then sent a worm to damage the plant, making it wither. In the morning, the sun beat upon Jonah, and an east wind troubled him that he grew faint and wished death upon himself (Verses 6-8). “Then God said to Jonah, Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? And he said. It is right for me to be angry, even to death! But the LORD said, You have pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, where more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?” (Verses 9-11).
Jonah came to an understanding when he said, “You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from harming” (Verse 3). Let us, today, foster a spirit of forgiveness towards all.
Prayer Focus: Spirit of forgiveness.
Prayer: Holy Father, you promised that if we come to you in repentance, you will forgive us our sins. Help us to have a heart of forgiveness towards others; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for Today: Forgive Others As Christ Forgives You.
Contributor: Ms. Nichole Shaw (Florida, United States)
Screen Editor: Mr. Wensley Dias
Editor: Mrs. Tyischa Belton