Jonah became angry at God for His grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Jonah 4:1-3

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“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, one who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Jonah 4:1-3

Jonah was angry at God for extending forgiveness, grace, mercy, and the opportunity for repentance towards the people of Nineveh. Jonah told God he would rather die than to spare the people of Nineveh from the wrath to come.

How many of us has had those same feelings as Jonah towards someone as we decided to forget about God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy? Within ourselves, the seed of hatred burns, and we say in a whisper or very vocally, “I hope you burn in hell”. John the Baptist had similar sentiments when, “…he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7[Some Pharisees did believe in Jesus, such as Paul who was a Pharisee of all Pharisees]. The disciples of Jesus had similar feelings, “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” Luke 9:54 [Some Roman Centurions believed in Jesus, such as Cornelius].

During those times of passion and hatred for sin and obnoxious behavior, our Lord Jesus says to us, “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Luke 9:55-56 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 “[God] is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1