JUNE 4, 2012
Getting It Right On The Inside
Read: Jonah 4
Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” —Jonah 4:4
I love the story of Jonah! It’s full of drama and important life lessons.
After stubbornly refusing to do God’s will, Jonah finally preached a revival
service in Nineveh that would have made him one of the most
successful missionaries of his time. When the people repented and
turned from their wicked ways—and when God relented and turned
from His anger against them—you would have expected Jonah to
rejoice. Instead, he was angry that God was merciful. Why? Although
he was finally obeying God by doing the right thing in the right place,
he was deeply flawed on the inside.
Like Jonah, if we are not careful, we can be spiritually “looking good”
on the outside, but far from God in our hearts. He is most interested in
what we are like on the inside. His Word is “sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” (Heb. 4:12). With
it, He performs divine surgery to remove the greed, dishonesty, hatred,
pride, and selfishness that live in the deep shadows of our hearts.
So the next time the Holy Spirit convicts you and asks you about your
bad attitude (see Jonah 4:4)—listen carefully. Surrender and let Him
change you from the inside out.
I confess, heavenly Father, that I know what it’s like
to be more concerned about my outward obedience
than my inner rebellion. I want to look good to others.
Forgive me. Change me and make me pure within.
If God controls you on the inside, you’ll be genuine
on the outside.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
