READ: Jonah 4 (Focus vs. 5-11)
MEMORY VERSE
The Lord said, …“Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” Jonah 4:10-11
BACKGROUND
How could God possibly care about all these people? The thought hit me as I stepped off a busy train platform in a crowded city, thousands of miles from home. I was a teenager traveling abroad for the first time, and I was overwhelmed by the size of the world around me.
I felt small by comparison and wondered how God could love so many people. I had yet to understand the broad reach of God’s perfect love. In Scripture, the prophet Jonah couldn’t fathom this either.
When Jonah finally obeyed God’s call to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh, the capital of the brutal Assyrian Empire that had oppressed his native Israel, he didn’t want God to forgive them. But the city did repent, and when God didn’t destroy them, Jonah was angry.
God provided shelter for Jonah through a fast-growing plant but then took his shade away, which angered him all the more.
Jonah complained, but God responded, “You have been concerned about this plant . . . . And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people?” (Jonah 4:10-11).
God’s so great that He’s able to care deeply for those who are far from Him. His love goes to the lengths of the cross and empty tomb of Jesus to meet our ultimate need. His greatness manifests itself in goodness, and He longs to draw us near.
James Banks
INSIGHT
Jonah 4 shows just how hardened the prophet’s heart had become. While it’s true that the people of Nineveh were far from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we see that Jonah himself was also very far from God’s heart.
Having been God’s instrument to bring about a national revival in Nineveh (3:5-10), Jonah was angry at Him for rescuing his enemies. God’s love for Nineveh could’ve been a learning opportunity for him, but his heart was so filled with hate that all he could feel was his own rage.
Still God loved and cared for the prophet (4:6), just as He loves and cares for us in spite of our hardened hearts.
APPLICATION
How does it comfort you to know God cares for you? How will you respond to His love?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
(God’s) love goes to the lengths of the cross and empty tomb of Jesus to meet our ultimate need.
PR’s TAKE
“I pray that…Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.“ Ephesians 3:16-21
PRAYER
“Loving God, thank You for coming to save me. Please help me to love others like You do.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD’S CARE”
He my refuge is, my fortress,
I will put my trust in Him;
While His own strong arm upholds me,
Never shall my faith grow dim.
He shall cover thee with His feathers
And under His wings shalt thou trust;
He shall cover thee with His feathers
And under His wings shalt thou trust.
For the Lord who clothes the lilies
Greater care shall have for me;
Tho’ a thousand fall beside me,
From destruction I am free.
He shall cover thee with His feathers…
He hath set His love upon me,
Angels watch o’er all my ways,
And His loving care, His kindness,
Well deserves my highest praise.
He shall cover thee with His feathers…
He will answer me in trouble,
Will deliver when I cry;
And because His name I honor
He will set me up on high.
He shall cover thee with His feathers
And under His wings shalt thou trust;
He shall cover thee with His feathers
And under His wings shalt thou trust.
