Jonah is a book of a selfish prophet who was glad when he got his way. May I remind us that we will not get our way all the time.

Jonah 4:5 KJV
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

The Prophet should have been grateful that a city has repented and turned from their evil ways, but he is not. He wants to see judgment on them.

Question to you this morning: Are you looking for judgment or the grace and mercy of God on someone?

I thought of this as I read through this chapter. A prophet is someone who would often pronounce judgment, but that prophet should do it in a loving way.

My heart and mind think back to Nehemiah as he kept over the judgment of the city of Jerusalem. How about Jeremiah? How did he weep over the sins and God's judgment on his people?

Shouldn't Jonah have done the same thing? Friend, my question is: Are you acting like Jonah today?

Have you found yourself awaiting judgment on someone that Christ wants to extend mercy and grace to?

I disagree with the LGBTQ crowd, but someone must share the Word of God with them. Are you praying God wipes them off or that God would save them?

How about that person who does evil against you continually? Are you wishing evil on them, or are you hoping someone shares the gospel with them?

A friend and I were chatting about how the Pope was not doing well. We could have said that God just needs to wipe him out and get rid of his heresy but rather the comment was made that God would touch his heart and he would get right before it's eternally to late.

Are you a Jonah or more like Jesus?

Life application: we should never wish evil on someone but rather wish that God would get a hold of their heart. 

May we be the one that will stand firm in sharing the gospel to those who are not for us.

Thank you for reading today's fire-starter devotional. If it was a blessing to you, please pass it along to someone else. Also if you have a prayer request please send it to my phone or email it at Justin@rtfministries.net