Jonah Chapter 4. You don't have to get all upset about it!
When Jonah saw how the city of Nineveh repented of their sins and that God withheld his wrath, Jonah was furious with God. He just couldn't fathom how God could be so compassionate towards such an evil city. Jonah proceeds to tell God that that's why he ran from him when he was asked to prophesy to the city. Jonah said I knew you would be a compassionate God and I wasn't going to preach to a city so evil just to end up seeing you show compassion.
I have concluded two thoughts from Jonah's excuse:
1. He's either a liar and used that as an excuse because he didn't want to let God know that the real reason for him running away was out of fear for his life. Which is ironic because fleeing from God almost resulted in the end of his life. Or
2. He's telling the truth and therefore is a very jealous and hateful person. Why? Because he has this attitude that concludes that there are certain evils that don't deserve God's love, compassion, and forgiveness.
In our self-righteousness, we might all look down on this as if to think Jonah was way out of line and we would never stoop to that level. But I would argue that we all have and it's a dangerous place to be. When somebody hurts us or hurts someone we love, we often react with anger or hatredness. We either get in their face or we shun them. One thing we don't do is show love and respect. There's nothing wrong in confronting a person but if it's motivated by hate with the hopes that something evil happens to them, then we're no better than Jonah. If the goal in confronting someone is restoration or reconciliation, then now we're operating in love.
CHALLENGE:
Evaluate your relationships. Is there someone who has hurt you? Family member, someone at work or school, or an enemy?
What do you wish upon that person? Are your thoughts motivated from hate, from Love, from compassion, or forgiveness?
Don't let satan get a foothold in your heart. Give it to the Lord. Then rejoice if this person turns to the Lord.