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. Jonah 4:2 NKJV
What a strange complaint Jonah has here, complaining that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, great in kindness, and forgiving. How could he complain about this, seeing that he himself had been disobedient to God’s command, and if God were not these things, Jonah could have suffered severe consequences himself.
May we guard ourselves from complaining against God when He allows things in our lives that we do not like or which do not go our way. Rather than criticizing, may we immerse ourselves and revel in these wonderful aspects of God:
Gracious: giving to us that which we do not deserve, such as salvation, eternal life, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, as well as His daily care for us in the many varying aspects of our lives.
Merciful: not giving to us that which we do deserve, such as condemnation, separation from God for eternity.
Slow to anger: not willing that any should perish, patiently dealing with us even in our foolishness and obstinacy.
Lovingkindness: blessing us beyond what we could ask or think; though we were enemies, He has brought us into the most intimate of relationships with Himself, enjoying fellowship at His table.
Forgiving: this was at such a great cost to Himself. He could not just pass over our sin; justice had to be applied, so He provided what was required. God gave His Son. The Lord Jesus gave His life, paying the price; thus He could forgive.
How blessed we are that He deals with us in such a wonderful way, showing us what He really is; therefore, knowing Him in such a way, may we trust Him fully in all things.