Monday Devo
Scripture:
Jonah 4:1-4
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 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. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”
4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 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. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”
4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Commentary:
4:1 it displeased Jonah exceedingly (cf. the ESV footnote, “it was exceedingly evil to Jonah”). In the previous episode (see 3:10) the pagans got rid of their “evil” and God got rid of the “disaster” he had threatened (both Hb. ra‘ah). The pagans are in harmony with God, but Jonah is not, as he alone is now characterized by “displeasure” (or “evil”; Hb. ra‘ah).
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1690.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1690.
Questions:
Throughout the book of Jonah, we've been reminded of one powerful truth: "I am Jonah." Jonah wasn't just a prophet with a bad attitude, his story is like a mirror reflecting the struggles that live inside all of us.
After witnessing one of the greatest revivals in history, Jonah should have been celebrating, but instead he was angry because God showed mercy to people he thought deserved judgment. God responded to Jonah's anger with a question: "Do you do well to be angry?" Instead of correcting Jonah, God held up a mirror for him to examine his own heart.
God invites us to do the same. God's Word is just a book of information, it is living and active, it reveals where our hearts are out of step with Him. Spiritual growth begins when we honestly look into that mirror and allow God to show us what needs to change.
After witnessing one of the greatest revivals in history, Jonah should have been celebrating, but instead he was angry because God showed mercy to people he thought deserved judgment. God responded to Jonah's anger with a question: "Do you do well to be angry?" Instead of correcting Jonah, God held up a mirror for him to examine his own heart.
God invites us to do the same. God's Word is just a book of information, it is living and active, it reveals where our hearts are out of step with Him. Spiritual growth begins when we honestly look into that mirror and allow God to show us what needs to change.
- Looking honestly at your life right now, what attitudes, reactions, or habits remind you most of Jonah? Are there areas where you know the right thing to do but struggle to align your heart with God's desires?
- Why do you think God often asks questions throughout Scripture instead of simply telling people what they are doing wrong? What do His questions reveal about His character and His desire for a relationship with us?
- Are there areas of your spiritual life where you are faithfully doing the "right" things: attending church, serving, praying, reading Scripture, but your heart feels distant from God? What would it look like to move beyond simply going through the motions and pursue genuine intimacy with Him again?
Prayer Topics:
- Ask God to reveal any blind spots or unhealthy attitudes in your heart.
- Thank God for His patience in exposing sin so that you can grow.
- Ask Him to help your outward actions to reflect what He has done in your heart.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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