WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART?
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- 43 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Today’s Reading:
Jonah 3:1-10, 4:5
“And Jonah began to enter the city. Then he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” (v. 4)
There are common statements and questions asked in the secular world, such as: “If man were God, he would have destroyed the world and the people for their sins”. Some ask others, “Are you God? If you were, what would you have done to others who offend you?” The heart is a very important organ in the body of a man. It is the seat of emotion, instinct and desires. Because of its essential functions in the life of a man, it is also very important to God. It is the part of man that interacts the most with God. No wonder there are many verses in the scripture that prove this statement, such as found in: 1Sam. 16:7 where it says man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. In Lk 16:15, it is written that Jesus told the Pharisees that they were those who justified themselves before men, but God knows their hearts, that what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Conscious that God is particular about the heart, many writers of the scripture invited God to search their hearts. In particular, David invited God to search him and know his heart…and see if there was any wicked way in him (Ps. 139:23-24). Prophet Jeremiah in Jer. 17:9-10 points out that God said that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? The Lord further said that He searches the heart…to give every man according to his ways. Sadly, way back after creation, God had discovered that every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was evil continuously. He said that He was sorry and it grieved him that He had made man on the earth, because He saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth (Gen. 6:5-6). In chapter 3:2 of today’s reading, Jonah recounted how God had told him to arise and go to Nineveh and preach to it the message He would tell him. So Jonah went, though not directly, having decided to run and escape to Tarshish, but God sent a big fish that swallowed him when thrown into the raging sea by those in the ship in which he was escaping. The fish eventually vomited him on the coast of Nineveh, to which he was initially sent. Having arrived, Jonah entered the city and cried out to the people that in forty days from then, Nineveh would be overthrown (v4). This was God’s proposed reaction to the people’s wickedness, which had gone up before him (Jon.1:2).
Gladly, it is written in chapter 3:5-9 that the people believed God, proclaimed a fast, put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Even the king rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. He further proclaimed and decreed that no one should eat or drink, they were to cover themselves with sackcloth, cry to God, and turn from all the evil and violence in their lands. He asked who could tell if God would relent and turn away from his fierce anger, so they would not perish. In 3:10, it is recorded that God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, so He relented from the disaster proposed, and He did not do it. It is interesting to read in chapter 4:2 that Jonah, who was sent to the people to warn them of imminent destruction if they did not go back to God in repentance, was actually displeased and became angry when he saw the people’s positive reaction to his message from God. He actually wanted God to carry out his punishment upon the people. It is written that he prayed to the Lord, accusing him that it was not what he said when still in his country, and he fled then to Tarshish, knowing that God is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger. Jonah actually asked God to take his life from him, that it was better for him to die than to live (v4). God then asked him if it was right for him to be angry.
Obviously, Jonah had depicted the typical heart of a man (above examples and much more). He did not want God to forgive the people in spite of their repentance and return to God. He wanted them punished for their sins. Yet the scripture says in Ps. 130:3 that if God should mark iniquities, who could stand? The Psalmist, like many others, confirmed that there is forgiveness with God (v4). As human beings and particularly as believers, we ought to be mindful of the functions of our hearts, so that we are not displeasing to God. It is God who sees the thoughts and intents of each one’s heart and is the rightful judge. Compare the attitude of Jonah with that of David in Ps. 51:4, where, while confessing and repenting of his sin (v14), David said that against God had he sinned… that God should be found just when He speaks, and that He is blameless when He judges. He asked God to purge and wash him, and to create in him a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit in him (vs 7-13).
As believers, we need to be careful, learn to forgive and heed God’s word in Heb. 4:12, allowing his word to pierce and discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts. As an unbeliever, your heart is not connected to God. Be saved, so that your heart can be renewed and made right with God.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us in your image and likeness.
Precious Saviour, thank you for your sacrifice resulting in our salvation. Please, renew our hearts by your Holy Spirit daily.
Lord, teach us forgiveness and love for you and fellow men.
Father, wake up the church with revival and turn it around fully to you.
Father, please turn our nation around to yourself.