A PROPHET WITH A PROBLEM
02nd Dec 2015
Jonah could preach hell fire and judgement, but when sent by God to proclaim good news of mercy and forgiveness - He ran! God had decided to do something about the terrible state of Nineveh, the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The people were in a bad way and God had decided to reveal Himself to them and planned to use Jonah as His tool. God desires mercy rather than judgement; He knows that ignorance about Him is more prevalent than rejection and rebellion, although the consequences of a lifestyle without God can look the same.
Listen to Jonah’s description of God, “I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer mercy and grace, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a programme of forgiveness!” (Jonah 4:2)
Jonah himself had to experience mercy (rescued from inside a whale!) before he could preach it. Those who understand their own need of forgiveness are the best at telling others of the kindness and love of God. So what about you & I? Are we ready to give the “good news” or are we prophets of gloom, always talking sin and judgement?
When a friend of ours found faith in Jesus after a lifetime of going his own way, He was overwhelmed by God’s mercy and love. I can remember him marvelling that after having rejected and ignored God for over 40 years, he had received acceptance and compassion, also love and wisdom to sort out the mess his life had got into. What a wonderful Saviour we have in Jesus, He never recriminates, He restores relationship and then directs the re-building programme.
Be a bringer of “good news”, not a “prophet of doom.” If you find yourself reluctant, ask God for a new experience of His mercy, so that you have got evidence of God’s goodness to share with others.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
