It’s My Way or the Highway
KATRINA ROLEN
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“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.” Jonah 4:1 (ESV)
I live on a country road where people often drive way too fast. I find myself wishing a sheriff’s deputy would come along at just the right moment to pull over the unsafe drivers and mete out some well-deserved judgment, like a hefty fine.
However, that rarely happens. The speeders usually seem to get away with it.
In today’s key verse, we meet the furious prophet Jonah, who, like me, wanted to see some lawbreakers get what they deserved. He wasn’t amused when that didn’t happen. In fact, “it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry” (Jonah 4:1).
Jonah had bigger concerns than people driving too fast. God had sent him to prophesy in Nineveh, a pagan city whose people were ruthless, violent, and cruel. Jonah was to warn Nineveh of God's impending judgment.
Much to Jonah’s chagrin, though, the Ninevites heeded the warning and turned toward God, who spared them from ruin (Jonah 3:6-10).
Why did this upset Jonah so much?
He had self-righteously decided these people deserved no mercy. Some scholars suggest Jonah thought divine mercy should be reserved only for his own people, the Israelites. Whatever the reason, in Jonah’s mind, the God who forgave the barbaric Ninevites was letting them get away with their sins.
In his anger over God’s merciful treatment of these disobedient rebels, Jonah failed to remember the mercy God gave him when he was rebellious and disobedient just a few chapters earlier in Scripture. It’s true Nineveh didn’t deserve God’s generosity, but neither did Jonah.
Neither do we. Isn’t it astounding that God chooses to show us mercy anyway?
What a blessing that despite our sins and flaws, God doesn’t abandon His people. Jonah raged at God, but the Lord still didn’t give up on him. Patiently, God explained that He wanted to save people in Nineveh who “[did] not know their right hand from their left” (Jonah 4:11, ESV). In other words, they were in spiritual darkness … just like Jonah was when he spent three days inside a fish, blind in the dark until God delivered him (Jonah 2).
We can all recognize a bit of ourselves in Jonah. But when we’re confronted by God’s outrageously generous mercy toward those we think are undeserving, let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts. After all, we’ve been on the receiving end of God’s outrageous generosity too.
Heavenly Father, sometimes we struggle when circumstances don’t seem fair and unrighteousness seems to prevail. When we want our own version of justice, help us remember You are wholly just and Your way is always better. Thank You for Your patience and for never leaving us, even when we try to take matters into our own hands rather than trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
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ENGAGE
Katrina (Kat to her friends) recently moved from the desert Southwest to the Pacific Northwest after retiring from a 20-year career as a physician. Kat’s desire to learn more about God’s Word sent her back to school, and in 2022 she completed a master’s degree in biblical studies. In addition to reading and writing, Kat enjoys coffee; great conversations with friends; baking decadent treats; and spending time with her horses, dogs, and cats. One of Katrina’s greatest desires is that her writing will help others learn to love digging into God’s Word. You can connect with Kat at her website!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 89:14, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (ESV).
Romans 3:23-24, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …” (ESV).
Think of a time when you were angry because an injustice went unpunished. How have you seen God work in yourself or in others due to that situation? If you are still struggling with the issue, how might you pray for courage, clarity, and guidance as you work through it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
© 2026 by Katrina Rolen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
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