Daily Devotion for October 20, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Jonah 3:6 - 4:2.

Apparently, Jonah hated the people of Nineveh. He wanted nothing to do with them. So, when God called him to go and preach to them, he took off in the opposite direction. It wasn’t enough to simply stay where he was and not go there; he wanted to get even further away from them. But God stayed after him. God was not going to “let him off the hook” as we sometimes say. And when the storm came up while he was on the ship, Jonah knew what was happening. He told those on board what he was doing and what they needed to do to make the storm go away. Reluctantly, they complied. (I admire them for at least being reluctant at first.) And when Jonah gets swallowed by the fish and “expelled” onto the beach, he is more than ready to go do what he was called to do. And when he does, the people repent, and God spares them, which is exactly why Jonah didn’t want to do this in the first place! Jonah hated them and knew God would forgive them!

First, I wonder how many people who “know the Bible at least a little bit” would know who said this if you just gave them the quote from Jonah without telling who said it. But more importantly, I wonder how many of us hate someone or some group so much that we really don’t want God to forgive them. May that never be the case for any of us who claim to be the people of Christ!

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: God of grace, forgive me of any hatred that is in my spirit and help me release it. Help me to always be willing to share your message of repentance and grace so that others know that you forgive them too. Through Christ, Amen.