Sermon # 40 - Mercy Instead Of Judgement Series

We read in Jonah 4:4, “Then the LORD said, "Do you think it is right for you to be angry?" (ERV)

The God who created heaven and the earth asked Jonah the prophet, if he thought it was right to be angry with Him, very much like a parent would enquire of their child, who is upset with them. Our God is not one who is concerned about a few people, but He is a God who is interested in the affairs of all of mankind. Jesus Christ came into this world not to save one group of people, but that all of mankind should attain eternal life, and that none should perish.

A glimpse of heaven

In the book of Revelation which is the last book in the bible we read thus in Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,” (ESV)

This is a magnificent sight in heaven where people from every nation, tribe, peoples and languages are found standing before the throne of the Lamb of God. All of them are dressed in white, and have palm branches in their hands. Our God is the God for all nations and peoples all over the world, and it is his desire that not one should be lost.

The church at large is a small picture of this glorious sight that we can see in heaven. Therefore, the church should be a place which is open wide to receive all sorts of people. Sadly, the church is divided, and we have exclusive churches for people from different regions, languages and people groups. These divisions have made us question if we are indeed the church of God as we were called to be.

God’s desire for all mankind

Peter speaking about the heart of God and His desires for humans, explained it this way in

2 Peter 3:9 … “God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” (CEV)

The city of Nineveh was part of the Assyrian Kingdom, and these people were against the people of Israel. Anyhow, it was God’s will that people in that city too should not be destroyed, but that they should be saved. It is therefore important that we fully comprehend about the God whom we believe in. He is a God who is over all, and loves all people irrespective of who they are. The Kingdom of God has as its representatives, people from all over the world, every nation, tribe and language, all of whom will also be found in heaven.

God was so gracious and merciful to the people of Nineveh that He sent His prophet Jonah with a message to them. The message that Jonah preached was that there was impending punishment on them because of their sins and wickedness, if they did not repent. Not only was God merciful to the people of Nineveh who repented, He was also gracious to Jonah though he decided to walk away in disobedience. God sent a fierce storm just to stop Jonah, and get him back on track. If God intended, He could have done away with Jonah, and found someone else to fulfill the task. Interestingly, God also prepared a big fish that could swallow Jonah, keep him safe to be vomited out onto the shore. Woefully, Jonah forgot all the goodness and mercy that he had received from the hands of God.

Many people have a wrong notion that God has certain expectations of them, and is depending on them alone, as though there was no one else He could count on. Let us remember that it is God’s grace that He has chosen us, and even when we fail to fulfill God’s purposes, He still chooses to give us another chance.

An attitude of gratitude

There are so many like Jonah who quickly forget all the wonderful things that they have received. The people of Israel are an example for this. They had experienced God’s mighty power as He crushed the power of the Egyptians, and delivered them to freedom and safety. Nonetheless, these people were constantly grumbling and murmuring against the Lord. In spite of this the grace of the Lord did not fail them in any way. We must constantly recount the blessings of God in our lives, and keep thanking Him for the same.

The Psalmist says this so aptly in Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” (ESV)