Selfish anger aimed at selfless God

We live in a very selfish society.

Technology, conveniences and marketing campaigns have all fueled our desires to have whatever we want however we want.  Companies create customizable apps for smart phones.  Banks offer flexible account options. Stores match consumer prices and coupons. Restaurants make substitutions.

It's all in the name of pleasing the customer, getting repeat business and offering people what they want.

There's nothing wrong with that.  However, somewhere along the line, we've grown selfish. If the fast food drive-thru lane is too slow, we complain and yell at cashiers. If we can't customize our order, we chose not to shop.  If something doesn't go our way, we pitch a fit.

And when asked why we lashed out in anger or frustration, we shift the blame and justify our actions.

That's exactly what Jonah did.

In Jonah chapter 4, we see Jonah after the great Nineveh revival.  The Ninevites have repented and God has relented of his destruction of the city.  Seeing all this take place, Jonah prays to God in his anger and justifies his responses to him.  He ran way, ignored God and chose not to come to Nineveh because he knew God would allow salvation to occur.

In other words, Jonah was justified in his anger.  His needs come first and he needed the Ninevites to die.  It's arrogant to think like that, but we often think the same thing.

We put our own wants and desires above the Lord's plans.  We care more about pleasing our friends than we do about pleasing our Lord.  When we get to that point, we're right where Jonah is in Jonah 4.

We're alone, shaking our fist at God and ignoring the great work he's doing in and around our lives. Jonah participated in an event that saved 600,000 people and rescued an entire city.  Instead of celebrating, he asks God to strike him dead.

He sees only himself and his problems.  It's a sad end to a mighty prophet, but if we're not careful, we shall meet the same fate.