They Turned From Their Evil Ways

God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 3:10

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah 4:1-4

The Bible tells us about a huge fish” so rare that God had provided it especially to swallow a runaway prophet. Most know the story, God told Jonah to take a message of judgment to Nineveh. But Jonah wanted nothing to do with the Ninevites. So he fled. Things went badly. From inside the fish, Jonah repented. Eventually he preached to the Ninevites, and they repented too.

The story of Jonah isn’t about the fish. It’s about our human nature and the nature of the God who pursues us. “The Lord is patient with you,” wrote the apostle Peter, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God offers His love to brutal Ninevites, pouting prophets, and you and me.

Our love has limits; God’s love is limitless.

Our Daily Bread – September 26, 2018