Devotional 25th April, 2021

RENEW REFRESH REFOCUS

CASNFCI SCRIPTURE & PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Be Merciful

The Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. — Jonah 4:6

“O God, we thank you that you are God and that we are not.”

Wandering why such prayer? It helped us to recognize that if we were in charge of making decisions with eternal consequences, we couldn’t be relied upon. We are too shortsighted and distracted by our self-interests.

It’s a good thing that Jonah wasn’t allowed to be in control on that faithful day. God had called him to warn Nineveh to repent of their wickedness, but Jonah did not want them to repent. He wanted God to destroy them instead. They were Israel’s enemies, and Jonah did not want God to show compassion toward them v9-11. Like Jonah, many of us are hurting because of someone or a family, or people who are making life difficult for us. So, we don’t want God to help them. What a pity!

It was God who made the leafy plant grow so quickly to bring relief with its broad, shady leaves. It was God who caused the plant to wither! Jonah’s reactions revealed his selfish concerns, and God exposed Jonah’s shallowness. Jonah cared more about shade from the plant than he cared about the people of Nineveh. Not so with God. The Lord, merciful and gracious.

Aren’t you glad that God is God and that he shows mercy to us too?

PRAYER

Lord, you alone can determine the way things should go. Make us channels of your mercy and grace for others. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Rev. Isaac G. Y Bangalu Founder & CE

Couples & Singles Network for Christ Initiative

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Thank You.