For years my son and I have had season tickets to a local university’s football program. “Avid” is an insufficient representation of our level of support for the team. Frankly, we’re obnoxious. Next to my son is a seat occupied by his co-worker, and fellow football zealot. Last week we attended one of the most significant games in years. The opponent was higher ranked and stood between us and our goal of getting to the championship game. We were on defense and lead by only five points with under a minute remaining. Despite the lead, our confidence waned as we watched the enemy systematically close the distance to the end zone. It was clear that if something major didn’t happen, we were going to witness a dream crushing, last minute loss. Amazingly, in those final moments we intercepted a pass which allowed us to run out the clock and win the game. We were beside ourselves with excitement!
When I say “we” were excited I’m referring to my son and me. The third person in our party was so upset with the coaching decisions that put us in a position to potentially lose, that he sat motionless, staring forward and fuming. We won and he was filled with anger! My son and I had to push past him to join the thousands of fans storming the field.
How is it that some people can’t be thankful even in a victory? Why do they revert to complaints, criticism and even self-pity in the face of triumph? That’s precisely what happened in the book of Jonah. In the Old Testament a prophet was referred to in Hebrew as “man of God.” They were commissioned by Him and, in various ways, were granted divine messages. They filled a number of roles, some being called “writing prophets” and others were in official court positions as royal advisors. Some foretold events, but they weren’t psychics for hire. Prophets were God’s mouthpiece to the people. While the task was executed in different ways, their primary function was to declare God’s word so that it might drive hearers to repentance.
Jonah was a prophet who had received special direction from God. “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me’” (Jon. 1:1–2). There it is. He heard directly from God to pronounce judgment (with the implication that it might drive them to repentance). And again in Jonah 3:1–2, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”
Jonah did as he was told, albeit half-heartedly, and the people responded! There was widespread repentance from the top down. Even the king decreed, “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jon. 3:8-9). Because of their contrition, God did, in fact, withhold His judgment.
In the story, the only thing more amazing than God’s mercy was Jonah’s subsequent complaint. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry” (Jon. 4:1). He did the job he was called to do and got the result the job was designed to achieve “and he was angry.” Talk about being prone to being unthankful. He had such a deep-seated hostility for those people that even when they glorified God, he was disappointed.
How about you? Do you find a spot of misery in the middle of joy? Are you the one to name a complaint when you’re saturated with blessings? May it never be! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 does not say “give thanks when things are going just right” or “when you’re in the mood.” It says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” He is trustworthy and He loves His children. The bottom line is that it’s all going according to plan. God’s plan! What a wonderful reason to default to thankfulness.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col. 3:17)