When Mercy Offends Us
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
— Jonah 3:9–10 (KJV)
Reflection
Okay, I’m going to admit something today that maybe you will understand, or maybe not, especially when it comes to the person of Jonah. Often times I have been a little like Jonah in my judgment of people.
Jonah knew all about the people of Nineveh. They were not known for kindness or righteousness. They were violent, cruel, and enemies of God’s people. Their reputation was not small mistakes. It was deep wickedness. And here God was telling Jonah to warn them that judgment was coming. You would think Jonah would be pleased to give them that message.
But the other possibility probably bothered Jonah most. God’s mercy on Nineveh. What if they received the message, changed, and repented? These unworthy people might be given another chance.
Sometimes we may see people the same way. We look at what they have done. The pain they have caused. The life they have lived against God. And somewhere in our hearts, we quietly decide they do not deserve mercy. We may never say it out loud, but we feel it.
But Jonah 3:9–10 shows us something powerful. The people of Nineveh humbled themselves. They turned from their evil ways. And God saw. He did not ignore it. He did not say it was too late. He did not say their past was too dark. He showed mercy.
This confronts my heart. Because the mercy I cling to for myself is the same mercy God extends to others. If God’s grace had a limit based on how bad someone had been, where would any of us stand?
Today's Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I have judged others as unworthy of Your mercy. Thank You that Your grace reached me when I did not deserve it. Help me to have a heart that rejoices when others turn to You, instead of resisting Your compassion. Shape my heart to love what You love and to desire mercy as You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Before You Go
Is there someone you struggle to believe God could truly change?
Remember, God sees repentance. He sees turning hearts. And His mercy is not limited by our opinions. The same grace that rescued you is powerful enough to reach them too. Ask God to soften your heart today and to help you trust His mercy, even when it surprises you.
He is the God of the second chance. All throughout Scripture we see Him restoring, forgiving, and giving new beginnings where failure once stood. Jonah saw it with Nineveh, even though it challenged him. We see it even more clearly in Jesus. Through Christ, mercy and grace meet us not just once, but as the foundation of our hope. His sacrifice made the way for forgiveness, for hearts to be changed, and for lives to be made new.
How wonderful His mercy and grace are. They reach further than our judgment, deeper than our failures, and wider than we often imagine. Rejoice today that God did not deal with you according to what you deserved and trust Him with the same mercy for others.
