I wonder if Jonah got called a hypocrite?

I’ve quit sharing things with people over the years because of people throwing things back in my face. “You think you’re better than anyone else. You think you sit on some sort of pedestal. You’re nothing but a hypocrite.” Yep I’ve been told that. And everytime my flesh goes, yep maybe they are right, and then I instantly stop.

But thank goodness God through Jesus Christ doesn’t give up on me and pushes me back on the boat, to get get thrown off, then I want the great fish to eat me and hide me, then he spits me up on the sandy sunny beach, then he makes me go to Ninevah against my will and I do it out of anger and resentment, then he allows those wretched mongrels to listen to me and they change their lives, then I get mad and complain about it being too hot while I’m waiting for God to judge them.

Any other person in that circumstance would’ve gave up on me before I even hit the water. But God didn’t. You know why? Because he is not a man that he should lie and he has more Mercy than the whole world put together in every heart of man. He keeps his promise even when I don’t want it or just want to quit.

Think of Jonah when you have shortcomings and are reminded of them by others. They aren’t The God you worship. We all have issues and shortcomings, some more noticeable than others. Repent of your sin and recognize every sin you commit, isn’t against you or that person, but firstly it’s against the God who loves you. I’m always reminded of David in Psalm 51:4 – “Against You alone have I sinned, and done evil before You; that You might be justified in Your words, and might overcome when You are judged.” David sent Bathsheba’s husband to the front lines to die knowing good and well he wouldn’t be back. This was because he wanted the man’s wife, Bathsheba, and while her husband was fighting in David’s war, David raped Bathsheba. This is Psalm 51.

“Be encouraged my friend, in your sin, as you work out your salvation in fear and trembling, God will continue to use you, even in spite of you, so long as you fear Him, even if what He is doing makes you exceedingly displeased.”