Thursday 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:
4:2 This is Jonah’s second prayer; the repetition of prayed to the LORD (see 2:1) invites the reader to compare the two. gracious God … relenting from disaster. These same words occur in Joel 2:13 as the basis for hope (see Ex. 34:6–7; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 145:8). Ironically, this standard confession of the compassionate character of God is the root of Jonah’s anger. Steadfast love, when extended to Jonah, filled him with thanksgiving (Jonah 2:8), but when extended to the Ninevites, filled him with anger.
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:
One of God's defining attributes is that He is "slow to anger." Jonah, however, was quick to anger and impatient with both God and people. He wanted God's plan to unfold according to his timeline and preferences. Yet God patiently endured Jonah's complaints, questions, and rebellion.
Patience is one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity because it reflects trust in God's timing and sovereignty. It shows up in our relationships, our trials, and our waiting. When we become impatient, we often reveal that we are trying to control things that belong in God's hands. Patience grows when we learn to trust God more deeply.
Patience is one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity because it reflects trust in God's timing and sovereignty. It shows up in our relationships, our trials, and our waiting. When we become impatient, we often reveal that we are trying to control things that belong in God's hands. Patience grows when we learn to trust God more deeply.
- What circumstance, relationship, or unanswered prayer is testing your patience the most right now? How have you been responding while you wait? Are your reactions revealing trust in God's timing or frustration that things are not happening according to your plan?
- Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it is evidence of God's work within us. Why do you think patience is such an important mark of spiritual maturity? How does patience demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty, wisdom, and control over every situation?
- Where have you been demanding immediate answers, immediate change, or immediate results instead of trusting God's process? What would it look like to surrender that timeline to God and believe that His timing is better than your own?
Prayer Topics:
- Ask God to help you trust Him when answers seem delayed.
- Thank Him for the patience He has shown you throughout your life.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to produce greater patience in your relationships and circumstances.
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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