Scripture: And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle? (Jonah 4:11)
The Lord cares about all the peoples of the earth. But we tend to have particular tastes, as it were. We prefer some people to others. And like Jonah, we often think that only certain kinds of people are deserving of God’s mercy and salvation.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have judged a nation, a people, or even just one person as not deserving of your mercy, as though I were. I confess that I am not worthy to receive it. Jesus, disciple me so that I would see with your eyes of compassion and love. And Lord, I pray especially for this person who causes me so much grief and hardship, that you would lay your blessings of mercy on them rather than your judgment. And let me rejoice in their repentance even as you have rejoiced in mine. Amen.