I am studying the book
of Jonah again, but this time God has me focused on a different principle.
Rejoicing for my enemies. Jonah 4 is about God rebuking Jonah for not wanting
Nineveh to be saved. If you’ve got a little time right now, grab your Bible
(physical, electronic, memorized). Read Jonah 4.
It’s easy to empathize
with Jonah because we don’t want our enemies to enjoy the goodness of God
either. I am not judging you, but I am telling the truth about myself. The
blessings of the Lord, His compassion, His mercy and His grace are all mine. The
people who reject God, reject me, reject my beliefs, and reject the statutes of
God are my enemies. Why should those people benefit from the benevolent
character of MY God?
Well, friends, it just
isn’t about what we think. Every human being on this planet is a child of the Most
High God, whether they choose to acknowledge Him or not. God is sovereign over
all of His creation, He makes the sun to shine on the good and the evil, and He
sends the rain on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45). Every time God spares the
life of one of His enemies, He has given them another chance to get right with
Him. We should rejoice in the opportunity He has provided for them.
He does not want anyone
to perish, so why do we? Before you get all self-righteous on me, think about
the people groups you believe are going straight to hell. Now, thank God that
He spared you because you should be going straight to hell, too.
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