Spiritual Darkness

 Scripture:

“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”” ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God was speaking here to Jonah who was complaining to God about the people of Nineveh repenting of their sins and turning to the Lord. God told him that Nineveh had 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Then He closes this section by saying, “Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” God was heartbroken for the people of Nineveh. He loved them and wanted to have mercy on them. 

Application:

Many times through the years I have felt the heart of God for a people, a region, or a nation. When people are in darkness, God is grieved! When we really feel the heart of God, it will often be broken for the people He loves who are walking in spiritual darkness. I just got home for Istanbul, Turkey. While there, I got a sense of the heart of the Father for that nation. It was a nation that was once the center of Christianity for the world, but now less than 1% claim a relationship with Christ. We must ask God to let us feel what He feels for the world around us because it will change what is important on our agendas.

Prayer:

Father, let me feel Your heart for your creation. Help me to walk in step with You. Thank You for the times when You have allowed me to feel Your heart for a region or a nation. Help me to never forget that, but to work toward changing that map in those areas. Let me feel Your heart for those in spiritual darkness. 

Your Son,

Jeff