The God Who Never Changes

"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." 
Jonah 4:2 (NIV) 

Jonah should have been celebrating, but instead, he's complaining.

After witnessing the greatest revival in history, Jonah becomes angry because God showed mercy to his enemies. In his frustration, he accidentally gives us one of the Bible's most beautiful descriptions of God's character in today’s verse. 

Notice this comes from the Old Testament—God doesn't change from mean to loving between the testaments. The pastor and preacher Charles Spurgeon likened it to a weather vane marked "God is Love": no matter which way the wind blows, God remains loving.

Jonah wanted judgment for Nineveh, but God wanted redemption. The prophet wanted his enemies to perish, but his Master wanted them pardoned. This shows us the heart of our missionary God—gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love.

I read once about missionary George Stott being asked why he, having only one leg, would go to China. His sobering answer was this: "I do not see those with two legs going, so I must." His response puts our excuses to shame and models what it looks like to praise our Master.

You serve this same unchanging God who extends grace to the most unlikely people. When you share His love with others, even those you consider enemies, you praise the Master who never stops loving. His character remains constant, and His mission remains clear: to seek and save the lost.

Praise your loving and faithful Master today by reflecting His gracious, compassionate heart to everyone you meet.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your unchanging character, for all Your ways are loving and faithful. Help me praise You by sharing Your unchanging love with those who need it most. I welcome Your strength and ask for courage to speak boldly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.