Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice

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

There are people in this world who will not be happy when something good happens to you or to others. Or when God is kind to you. These people would rather want you not to experience those good fortunes. This is evidence of a pharisaical spirit. This is what Jonah in the verse above has experienced.

Another example of this is expressed in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Do you remember the reaction of the older brother when he saw how the father treated his prodigal son upon his return? You would think he would be pleased to see his younger brother home safe and well but that is not what happens. Also the Parable of the Workers in Matt 20:1-16 where the initial workers grumbled at the land owner for being kind to those that started work later; or the Pharisee in Luke 7:36-50 who wasn’t pleased with the kindness shown to the Lord Jesus by a woman who was a ‘sinner’.

The Bible tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) It doesn’t say be annoyed when others rejoice and be positively angry when others find salvation!