Would you rather have justice or mercy from the Lord? Justice would be getting what we deserve. In Romans 6:23 the Apostle Paul talks about both justice and mercy. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. [1] As people we deserve justice, but in God’s mercy, He extends the gift of salvation. If you have come to faith, you have experienced God’s mercy. Awesome! Thank you, Lord. In our story of Jonah, he also received God’s mercy.
Jonah 1:15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. 17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. [2]
The picture of the Lord reaching down and saving Jonah is a wonderful portrait of God’s mercy. Jonah had done everything wrong and caused a great storm to come upon the ship. Other people, the sailors, the shippers, and those hoping to receive the goods on the ship, were affected because of his disobedience. Yet in God’s mercy, He rescued him and would give Jonah a second chance. Jonah did not deserve it. Jonah did not pray and ask God to save him and the ship during the storm. God had every right to let Jonah sink into the ocean, but this is not what God did.
Ephesians 2: 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved![3]
How has the Lord shown you mercy in your life? How has the Lord’s mercy changed your life? Prayer: Thank you Lord for your great mercy because without it I would be lost. Thank heavenly Father you are the God of rescue even when we don’t deserve it. Help me Lord Jesus to be your hands and feet to show your mercy to others. Amen.
To hear more of the story of Jonah, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/the-call/the-call-jonah
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.