"They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy."
Jonah 2:8
This is an interesting statement by Jonah while he is inside the fish. By itself it seems a little out of place among the other verses pleading for God's mercy and resolving to be a better person, so I am guessing that it is Jonah acknowledging that he told lies to make himself look better, although whether he lied to himself or others, or both, isn't clear. It's an interesting idea that by doing that we forsake mercy.
"Our own" mercy could mean that we rob ourselves of healthy, honest self-esteem when we lie to ourselves about how cool we are. It could also mean that we rob ourselves of God's mercy when we fail to acknowledge our weaknesses (to ourselves or others) and seek God's help to overcome them. We'll split the difference and say that it means both, shall we? :)
I think it is important to remember that honesty isn't just about building trusting relationships with others, but also about our own self-image and ability to grow and change. Lying in certain contexts might get other people to think better of us at least temporarily, but we can't lie to God, and there is little good in other people's opinions based on fabrications, especially when they will likely find out the truth anyway. Perhaps worse is when we lie to ourselves and think that we don't need God, or other people, or mercy. :)
Today, let's remember to be honest with ourselves and with others, and turn to God for help and mercy in our trials.
Jonah 2:8
This is an interesting statement by Jonah while he is inside the fish. By itself it seems a little out of place among the other verses pleading for God's mercy and resolving to be a better person, so I am guessing that it is Jonah acknowledging that he told lies to make himself look better, although whether he lied to himself or others, or both, isn't clear. It's an interesting idea that by doing that we forsake mercy.
"Our own" mercy could mean that we rob ourselves of healthy, honest self-esteem when we lie to ourselves about how cool we are. It could also mean that we rob ourselves of God's mercy when we fail to acknowledge our weaknesses (to ourselves or others) and seek God's help to overcome them. We'll split the difference and say that it means both, shall we? :)
I think it is important to remember that honesty isn't just about building trusting relationships with others, but also about our own self-image and ability to grow and change. Lying in certain contexts might get other people to think better of us at least temporarily, but we can't lie to God, and there is little good in other people's opinions based on fabrications, especially when they will likely find out the truth anyway. Perhaps worse is when we lie to ourselves and think that we don't need God, or other people, or mercy. :)
Today, let's remember to be honest with ourselves and with others, and turn to God for help and mercy in our trials.
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