Story of Nineveh

“You are a gracious and merciful God, Slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, one who relents from doing harm.” Jonah Chapter 4, verses 2.

God called Jonah to relay God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Have you ever wondered why Jonah chose to disobey God?

Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and didn't want them to be saved but punished. He knew that if he went to Nineveh to warn them that God was mad at them due to their bad deeds, they may choose to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. And if they ask for forgiveness, our loving God will forgive them because God is full of love, kindness, and mercy. So, Jonah chose to disobey God and took the ship to Tarshish. You know the rest of the story.

The story of Jonah and Nineveh is the story of forgiveness. We can see that our good Lord had forgiven not only Jonah but also the people of Nineveh when they realized their mistakes and prayed for forgiveness. We should learn that it is not fair for us to be grateful that God forgave us of our mistakes but also to be angry when God forgives other people. God loves everyone equally; he loves our enemies in the same way he loves us.

Instead of being angry that God is willing to forgive people we don’t like, we should be focused on being grateful that God is so loving and forgiving because if He wasn’t so loving and merciful, we would all be in big trouble. We all need God’s love and forgiveness, you, me, and even Jonah. It is not our place, as people who have been forgiven, to be mad at God for forgiving other people as well.

God is giving us a chance to be grateful, pray, and repent to get blessed. Let's make use of it not only during Lent but beyond.

Besides, life is always better when we focus on the blessings and grace God offers us instead of holding grudges against other people.

Amen.