ANGRY OR GRATEFUL?

 When God saw their deeds, that is, how they turned from their evil ways, then God repented (Jonah 3:10).

What reaction do we have when God shows mercy to those we think deserve to be punished? If we disagree, it shows that we too have forgotten how great God's forgiveness is for us.

After Jonah followed God's call a second time to call for His judgment on Nineveh (Jonah 3: 1-4), the people of the city turned from their wicked ways, so that God did not punish them (verse 10). God's mercy made Jonah angry. He then told God that this was what he feared would happen, and that is why he fled to Tarshish. I know, that You are a merciful and compassionate God ... who regrets the calamity He is about to bring (4: 2).

But God said to Jonah, How shall I not love Nineveh, that great city, which is over an hundred and twenty thousand men? (4:11).

God's wonderful grace is far greater than our sin. For by grace you are saved by faith; it is not the result of your work, but a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). Because of His grace to us, we are to be kind to one another, loving and forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave [us] (4:32). 

Rather than being angry when God is merciful to others, how much better it is when we give thanks -DCM

WE CAN STOP BEING
MERCIFUL TO OUR NEIGHBORS IF CHRIST STOPS BEING MERCIFUL TO US

*) Take from Daily Meditation