Today's Daily Lesson is a TBT and comes from Jonah chapter 4 verses 1 and 2:
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord . . . I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
Jonah couldn't stand it that the Ninevites were such a wicked and perverse people. And when they repented of their evil ways -- so remorseful that they even put their livestock in sackcloth and ashes -- well, Jonah couldn't stand that either.
There are some people that just have to have somebody to scorn and condemn to hell. They're always up in arms about somebody doing something. And "sorry" is just never good enough. They want everybody to get what they have coming.
When that doesn't happen then they say, "a bad precedence is being set," or we're "sending a signal that this kind of behavior is okay," or we're "not acting responsibly."
But in the end Jonah doesn't look responsible; he looks small-minded, petty, and mean-spirited.
The Bible says we are to "love mercy". That means that when we hate mercy something just ain't right.
Love mercy. Delight in it's giving. Learn to celebrate with the angels that a sinner has walked back through the church house door.
And for heaven's sake, don't cut off your nose just to spite your face.
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