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Rich in Love, Slow to Anger
Jonah: God’s Matchless Grace
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Pastor Jojo Ma
Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics
Jonah 4:1-5
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, 'O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.' 4 And the LORD said, 'Do you do well to be angry?' 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.
Lk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.
Like Jonah, we tend to progress in holiness in steps and stops and slips, then rising again in renewed faith, then struggles come, back and forth, up and down.
When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in its shadow I shall run
Till You complete the work begun
Till You complete the work begun
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. ESV
1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. HCS
What is Jonah so vexed about? Why is he furious and enraged? What is the "excessive evil" and injustice that is so troubling to him?
2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, 'O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.' 4 And the LORD said, 'Do you do well to be angry?'
2 ...for I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.
Ex 33:19 And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
Ex 34:6 The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
4 Do you do well to be angry?
He's full of pride. Jonah considers himself a "better sinner than the Ninevite sinners". For Jonah, there were sinners (like himself and the people of Israel), and then there were sinners (like the wicked Ninevites)!
Many today suffer from the Jonah "two-categories-of-sinner" syndrome. However, God doesn't grade on a curve, but on a cross.
John Newton, who wrote "Amazing Grace", once said: "Two things I know --- that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior."
2 O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country?
Rev 5:9-10 ...by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
4 And the LORD said, 'Do you do well to be angry?' 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.
Do I have a right to be angry?
Have I assessed my situation accurately?
Have I been sinned against, or am I angry because I'm not getting what I want?
Jam 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. --- Listen well, hold your tongue, and slow down.
The Seven “A’s” of Confession (from Ken Sande, The Peacemaker)…
Address everyone involved.
Avoid “if”, “but”, and “maybe.”
Admit specifically.
Acknowledge the hurt.
Accept the consequences.
Alter your behavior.
Ask for forgiveness.
How about you? Is your heart filled with hate toward someone?
Are you angry, or furious, at God for circumstances in your life? Is your anger justified?
Do you see God's grace and blessings in other people's lives and feel great resentment?
Are you running from your problems, sitting in disappointment, waiting for things to just happen?
Are you pulling away from God?
Whatever you believe about your lot in life, know that God is never the problem, but always the answer.
“I [know] that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find