We just finished our four-week study on the book of Jonah. A simple breakdown is 1-Flee; 2-Fish; 3-Preach; 4-Pout. Is there a week that had a bigger impact on you? How has God been challenging you through the study of Jonah? I would love to hear about it.
This week we looked at Chapter Four. Jonah was angry that God forgave the Ninevites. Jonah was holding onto his anger, prejudice and resentment. Unresolved anger leads to a host of problems, like bitterness and depression. Like a weed, they will continue to grow, disrupting everything else in our lives until we deal with it. Jonah just wanted to die. Like Jonah, we all want to receive God’s forgiveness, but we are not always willing to give forgiveness. Are there people in your life, in your circle to whom you are unwilling to extend God’s grace and forgiveness? Why do we struggle with giving forgiveness more than receiving forgiveness?
God provided a vine, but He also provided a worm and a scorching east wind. We want to worship the God that blesses, but we often complain about the God that allows trials into our lives. I pray that as you re-read the book of Jonah, God will reveal His whole self to you.