A few years ago, a friend of mine got into an argument with his neighbour over a boundary dispute. What started as a small disagreement over a fence line escalated into an all-out feud. Frustrated, my friend turned to prayer—not for resolution, but for God to teach his neighbour a lesson.
What happens when God doesn’t meet our expectations?
“I prayed that God would strike him with bad luck, that he’d realise he was messing with the wrong person,” my friend admitted later. “But nothing happened. In fact, the neighbour seemed to thrive. And I struggled. So I kept asking God, ‘Whose side are you on?'” My friend’s story is familiar because it’s one we’ve all lived in some form. Whether it’s at work, in relationships, or with life’s challenges, we often want to use God as a weapon to destroy our enemies. It’s a way of trying to enlist him to serve our agendas. In doing so, we reduce the Lord and Creator of the universe to a petty instrument in our own revenge.
But what happens when God doesn’t meet our expectations? When he shows mercy to those we think deserve punishment? That’s the question Jonah wrestled with when Nineveh was spared; it’s one we still grapple with today.
Jonah’s Story: Running From God’s Agenda
Jonah’s story begins with God’s command to preach against the city of Nineveh (Jonah 1:2). But instead Jonah flees to Tarshish, running away from his calling. He didn’t want to warn Nineveh of judgment, believing they didn’t deserve mercy of any kind, especially not God’s (Jonah 4:2).
We struggle to accept God’s compassionate character towards our enemies.
God interrupts Jonah’s plans with a violent storm (Jonah 1:4), leading the sailors to throw him into the sea (Jonah 1:15), where he is mercifully swallowed by a sea monster (Jonah 1:17). For three days and nights, Jonah remained in the belly of the creature—a place of darkness, reflection, and repentance (Jonah 2:8-9). From within the depths, Jonah prayed, acknowledging the Lord’s power and mercy. Or did he?
In an act of divine intervention, the Lord sent the sea monster to vomit Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10). This time, Jonah obeyed and preached in Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). Then, to his sheer dismay, the people repented; God, in his mercy, spared the city (Jonah 3:10). Though Jonah’s mission succeeded, his anger revealed the contrast between God’s boundless compassion and Jonah’s narrow, resistant heart.
We’re Just Like Jonah
Like my friend with his neighbour, we struggle to accept God’s compassionate character towards our enemies. Like Jonah, we often resist his plans; struggle to trust his provision; and grapple with extending mercy to those we think don’t deserve it.
1. We Run From God’s Agenda
When God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah chose to flee to Tarshish instead. He resisted the call because it conflicted with his own desires and prejudices. Similarly, we often run from God’s plans when they challenge our comfort or confront our biases. This is seen when God:
- Calls us to forgive someone who wronged us, we may avoid the confrontation, holding on to bitterness instead
- Asks us to step into uncomfortable situations, we often distract ourselves, ignoring his voice.
Like Jonah, we believe that our agendas and plans are better than his.
2. We Build Our Own “Shelters”
We often rely on our own efforts instead of trusting God’s provision.
After reluctantly delivering God’s message, Jonah built a tent outside Nineveh, hoping to witness the city’s destruction. God, however, provided a better shelter—a plant that gave Jonah shade and made him glad. To demonstrate his sovereignty, God sent a worm to destroy the plant and a scorching wind to expose Jonah’s discomfort, revealing Jonah’s inability to provide true shelter for himself.
We often build similar “shelters,” relying on our own efforts instead of trusting God’s provision:
- Emotional shelters; clinging to pride or anger to protect ourselves from vulnerability
- Physical shelters; seeking security in money, possessions, or status
- Spiritual shelters; performing rituals or works, hoping they will substitute for a surrendered heart.
But like Jonah’s tent, these shelters are fragile. When the scorching sun comes—life’s challenges, disappointments, or failures—they fail to protect us. God’s tent is a reminder for us to trust in his provision and care (Psalm 121:5-6).
3. We Struggle with God’s Mercy for Others
God’s mercy is not for us to control.
Jonah’s greatest struggle was accepting God’s mercy for Nineveh. He believed they deserved destruction, not compassion. When God spared the city, Jonah’s anger revealed his limited understanding of God’s character (Psalms 145:8-9). Like Jonah, we often share this struggle when:
- Someone who has wronged us seems to thrive, we may feel resentment rather than joy
- God extends grace to people we consider undeserving, we question his justice.
Yet, Jonah’s story reminds us that God’s mercy is not for us to control. Just as he pursued Nineveh, God pursues everyone, calling them to repentance and offering forgiveness (1 Timothy 2:3-4). The story reminds us that none of us deserve God’s compassion (Romans 5:8); it is freely given to all who humble themselves before him.
Embrace Your Lord’s Heart
God’s mercy challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes. Are we like Jonah, clinging to bitterness and wanting God to punish those we dislike? Or are we willing to align ourselves with his heart, extending love and forgiveness even to those we consider undeserving?
The story of Jonah and Nineveh is a powerful reminder that God’s mercy knows no bounds. He longs for sinners to repent, and he calls us to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:43-45).
As we consider Jonah’s journey, may we:
- Trust in God’s plans, even when they challenge our assumptions
- Surrender our own agendas to align with his purposes
- Celebrate his mercy, both for us and for others.
Jonah’s story ends with God asking him a question: “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh?” (Jonah 4:11). This is a question for us too. Will we embrace his boundless mercy, not just for ourselves but for all who need it? Will we trust in the Lord’s redeeming agenda? In doing so, we step closer to his heart—a heart that loves sinners, redeems the lost, and offers shelter to all who seek him.
