Monday, 13^th November 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: LIVING BY GRACE OR BY RIGHTS?

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Then God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’ And he said, ‘It is right for me to be angry, even to death’.”– Jonah 4:9

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What made Jonah feel that it is right for him to be angry, even to death?

 

The prophet Jonah fled from God because of what he thought was not the right way for God to take, and also involve him. Jonah had been dealing with God as though he knew better than Him. In his distress in the belly of the whale, he returned to God. However, in his liberty, he returned to his self-will and opinion.

God has always been persistent in his kindness to mankind and saving Nineveh was the reason He wanted Jonah to go and preach to that great city. Jonah thought otherwise—Nineveh deserves no mercy. Jonah plainly confronted God, after the repentance of Nineveh and God had showed them mercy: “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. One who relents from doing harm” (Jonah 4:2).

Then God replied Jonah in these simple words, “Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4).

Beloved, God, who is the creator of all flesh, had the right to be angry with the people of Nineveh yet He chose to offer them His mercies. But who is Jonah to say that he is angry at God for being merciful to the city of Nineveh? Is he also God, and is he right? When Jonah was in dire need, he called on God and received His mercies. Yet this same Jonah feels that it is not right for Nineveh to also enjoy God’s mercies. Is this not selfishness?

In his self-will and selfishness, Jonah wanted to control God—what He should do or shouldn’t do.

There are many people who are angry with God for allowing something to happen to their relatives (or loved ones), or allowing them to go through pain. Some are hurt because they've lost something important in life, and yet he or she believed in an all-powerful God. As such, some have entered into a power-struggle with God. Others are living in anger against God or have backslided. They don't want to hear anything about God or ever believe in Him. Beloved, do we have the right to be angry with God? The fact that we are Christians does not mean that we can control God. No, not so! Trust reflects the co fixence we have in God based on accurate knowledge of Him. If you know God truly, you can trust Him even when you do not understand His approach.

Precious one, God has made it plain that He will have mercy on who He will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have compassion.

It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs but it is God who shows mercy (Rom 9:15-16). It is arrogance to think of rights when dealing with God. Let us learn to be grateful to God for all His mercies and compassion in our lives. Let us learn to extend God’s mercies and compassion with us to others. Let us learn to trust God who is all-powerful, but also the only wise God. Things may not have gone the way you expected, but a genuine trust in God will remain unshakable and immovable. In Christ, and in our walk with God, there is no rights. We all have been saved by His grace, and we can be sustained by His grace and mercies. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Jonah 4:1-11

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How well have you extended the grace and mercies of God in your life to others?

 

PRAYER

Precious Father, I am what I am by the grace of God? I submit myself under the mighty hand of God. From today, I remain committed to extending God’s grace and mercies in my life to all that God brings my way. Glory to God.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Ezra 8; Hosea 9; Colossians 1