Devotion 1: Steadfast Mercy

Pastor Patrick Bicknell

I think we can all imagine a time in our lives when we have been hurt by someone. Whether that person was a close friend, colleague, or even a random stranger, when we get hurt it is very natural to have a disdain for that person. We might not go as far as saying we want terrible things to happen to that person, but at best, we do not want to see something good happen to them. We probably want to distance ourselves and cut off communication with them so that we do not get hurt again. I know that is true for me.

I remember one time a very close friend of mine did something behind my back that hurt very much. I did not talk to them for years until the Lord put it on my heart to reach out to that person, tell them I had forgiven them, and it helped to put the situation behind me. I share that because I think within this context, understanding how sometimes it is hard to love those we do not get along with will help us to understand the story that is happening in Jonah chapter four.

I want to focus on Jonah’s response to the Ninevites' repentance at the beginning of the chapter. He says, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2).

It is very easy to criticize Jonah here and think, “How could this man feel that way? After all, are not those people the ones who need to hear about God’s mercy too?” That is absolutely true, but instead of criticizing Jonah, I think we need to try and look at ourselves. Does our life reflect this attitude? Specifically, think about people you do not get along with. Odds are, the people that will come to your mind will be the ones who have hurt you before. Do you desire for those people to experience the mercies of God?

I think we need to learn this from Jonah’s story. We should have a desire for all people to experience the grace and mercy of God, especially those with whom we do not get along. God views all people the same; they are sinners who need a Savior. He has provided that salvation and He has charged us with going into the world and sharing this news. Regardless of what our relationship to those people might be, we need to pray for them and desire that God would change their life with His abundant steadfast love and mercy.