Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
Anger is not sinful, yet the source of one’s anger sometimes does manifest one’s sinful heart. Perhaps the prophet Jonah best demonstrates this truth. When the Lord first approached Jonah about the need in Nineveh, Jonah clearly displayed his displeasure in seeing the Lord work in the lives of the Ninevites. After experiencing the Lord’s chastening, Jonah appeared to have a heart change. Yet, it did not take long before his anger revealed his true feelings and thoughts. As the hearts of the Ninevites were becoming tender toward the Lord, the prophet’s heart was becoming hardened through anger. His anger revealed that he wanted his own will and not God’s.
- (For children): The Lord loves people (John 3:16-17; Luke 19:10). When the inhabitants of a certain Samaritan village refused to receive Him, James and John became angry. The Lord rebuked James and John (Luke 9:51-56).
- (For everyone): How could something that brought great joy to the Lord equally anger one of His people? Do you find yourself getting angry when the Lord is being worshipped or pleased by others?
- Is it possible that righteous things make you angry? If so, what does this suggest about your heart? How can you make this right?
- Ask God to guard you from ungodly anger.
- Ask the Lord to help you find common ground with Him in His love and His anger.
SONG: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION