Devotion for Monday 16th March, 2015

ARE YOU RIGHT TO BE ANGRY?                    Monday March 16, 2015

Text: Jonah 4:5 – 11                                        Memory verse: v 9

Paul spoke about gift of love in 1 Corinthians chapter13. He particularly mentioned prophesying without love in 1 Corinthians 13:2. What he said there is an example of what we have here about Jonah. Many persons suppose that the gifts of prophecy and working miracles are the highest that can be conferred on man; but that is a general mistake, for the gifts change not the heart.

Jonah had the gift of prophecy, but had not received that grace which destroys the old man and creates the soul anew in Christ Jesus. Jonah was a prophet, and yet had all his old bad tempers about him shamefully dominating. Jonah was greatly afflicted at the loss of his gourd, but he had no pity for the mighty city of Nineveh. Are you like that? Do you perform miracles, speak in tongues and still do not love your neighbours?

This story of Jonah shows that God can give the gift of prophecy even to men who are not willing to be gracious. Are you angry when God does a miracle in the life of someone? Why should you be angry when God had shown you greater mercies? Beware, because such act of being angry over mercies God shows others can deny you heaven.

Food for Thought: Does the soul of a sinner mean anything to you?

Prayer: Lord, help me to always appreciate your mercies on worst sinners who repent and turn to you in Jesus name.