Jonah fulfilled the requirement to preach the message God gave him to the Ninevites, but his heart wasn’t there. Yes, he showed up and preached. However, the scripture never states that the Ninevites knew Jonah’s true feelings about them. They received what he shared with hearts willing to call on God. They fasted and prayed for God to change His mind. And He did.
Oh, how Jonah seethed with anger. He wanted God to render judgment against them, not mercy, even though just a few days prior, he was praying for the same type of mercy he saw them receive.
But the part I am leaning into today is that God wanted more from Jonah than him just showing up and checking the box called “done.” Jonah’s obedience was a starting point. God was getting to the nitty-gritty in Jonah. God used the Ninevites response to the message to bring Jonah’s heart to the forefront! Jonah has potential to be so much more but the anger/hatred limited his walk with God.
While preparing the devotional, the Lord checked me. He reminded about a person I wouldn’t part my lips. I refused to speak to them because I felt that was my way of protecting myself from further hurt. But the Lord tugged at my tender heart (He’d been doing a marvelous work on me with “He restoreth my soul” and this is an extension of that process). So, although I wasn’t in a state of hatred, I certainly wasn’t spending one moment using the breath God gave me to grunt to the individual, let alone utter a word!
Ouch, Lord! Ok, I recognized flashes of Jonah coming through. I know what I must do. The next time I am in the same room and happily speaking to all those around, I will unglue my “striving to make heaven” lips and speak.
I understand my assignment. God is good like that. I know I can’t have any hint of hate in my heart. Lord, give me a clean heart!
Yes, you can resent God’s actions while doing his work (and the work be effective). He addressed Jonah because He wanted Jonah to release the anger/hatred from his heart. Jonah had his reasons, just as I had mine. But they don’t fly with God.
I am determined to be heaven-ready, which translates into addressing everything that is not like Christ. I will not allow remnants of anything outside of the love of God to reside in my heart.
There’s no need to run. Face the truth of what’s in your heart, and embark on the journey the Lord has called you to – a clean heart!
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Jonah Chapter 4:11 (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)