July 15, 2024

Passage Read: Jonah 1-4
Meditation Verse: 4:11

Thought

These enemies of Israel, who would soon destroy Israel and send their survivors into exile, these enemies of Israel know nothing of right and wrong, and God has compassion on them. Even though these were people whom God would use to humble His people, yet God cared for them, cared that they didn't know right from wrong, cared that they would be condemned to hell unless they repented. Whether we will meet any of these people in eternity or not, God gave this generation of Ninevites a chance to be saved. And they were saved from the calamity that God had planned, but from hell? Only God knows.

Application

Through Jesus, God has commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, and this incident with Jonah illustrates God's heart even for enemies of His people. They may be tools in His hands to punish His people, but that doesn't mean He hates them. He may have plans for His people to one day rule over those who oppressed them, placing their feet on their necks, but that doesn't mean all are rejected and condemned. Whether God's people are enslaved or are masters, they should always be a witness of the truth about God. It is better for me to be a willing witness about God than to be an unwilling witness, but God still desires all men everywhere to have a chance at hearing who He is, what He requires, and what they must do to be reconciled to Him. God will have His way; I need to willingly cooperate, rather than resist and suffer for it.