What Justice?

Jonah 4:1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.

Have you been in Jonah's shoes? Have you ever hoped that someone would get exactly what they deserved and then the complete opposite occurs? Jonah wanted Ninevah to be destroyed, but God had compassion on them because of their repentance. Jonah didn't care. He was just mad and told God he knew that's what God would do, which was why he didn't want to go in the first place. I know I've been in this spot before. I've had moments where I really wanted someone to get justice and then grace was shown instead. I struggle to remember that justice in the world is not justice to God. The world's sense of justice is sometimes really messed up. People make horrible decisions, yet good things happen to them.  People are lovely and amazing, yet bad things happen to them. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. But with God, there is one assurance, among many. We can be sure that if we are truly repentant of our sins and come to Him with a contrite heart, He will have compassion on us and bestow His grace upon us. This is consistent throughout the Bible. And to give it a different perspective, think on it from the receiving end. If you deserve death and are given life, what kind of love, gratefulness, and hope must that bring. That's the message of the gospel. It is hope in despair. It is love in affliction. It is compassion in pain. We can walk in Jonah's steps, but we will not see the truth in those footprints. We see truth in the nail-scarred feet of Jesus. We experience truth when we receive the grace of God and the gift of life when death is what we deserve.