Friday 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:
The final attribute highlighted in Jonah 4 is God's steadfast love; His faithful, covenant-keeping love. This love is the foundation for grace, mercy, patience, and forgiveness. God loved us while we were still sinners and even while we were His enemies. Because we have received that kind of love, we are called to show it to others. Jesus taught that love for God and love for people are the two greatest commandments. The true measure of spiritual maturity is not simply knowing biblical truth but living it out through sacrificial love. Jonah knew the right theology but failed to reflect God's heart. As followers of Jesus, we are called to follow His lead and become conductors of His love.
- Think through your closest relationships: family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even difficult people in your life. Which relationship currently requires the most intentional, Christlike love from you? What makes loving that person difficult, and what might God be teaching you through that challenge?
- The sermon described love as the foundation for grace, mercy, patience, and forgiveness. Why do you think all of those qualities ultimately flow from love? How does understanding God's steadfast, covenant-keeping love for you change the way you treat others?
- The sermon ended with the question, "What does love require?" As you consider your relationships, where might God be asking you to sacrifice your comfort, pride, preferences, or desire to be right for the good of someone else? What step of obedience is He inviting you to take today?
Prayer Topics:
- Thank God for His unchanging, steadfast love toward you.
- Ask Him to help you love others the way Christ has loved you.
- Pray for the willingness to put others before yourself and follow Jesus' example of sacrificial love.
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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