Primary 99 - Hesed for Jonah

Children, 

Hased is the Hebrew word for a contractual or covenant love between God and man. This sort of love is similar to the love between a husband and wife or a parent and child. When we were baptized we made a covenant with God. That covenant is where God is looking out for the weaker of the two parties (our covenant union) and He is willing to pay for all the mistakes in our relationship (sins and transgressions) if we repent.

When we come to God with a covenant it supercieds a unconditional love because we are trying to become like the Savior.

Jonah was such a prophet that despite his mistakes and how far he ran from the Lord of the Sabbath, he was gathered like a lost lamb by God, his shepherd, and many of those he met along the way were converted. The sailors and the city of Ninevah sought the Lord because the Prophet was that kind of a missionary. He understood the covenant love of the Savior. We know he had his issues but he knew the covenant mercy (the hased). He knew the Lord's justice too. What he might if missed is that all of us are His children and though he thought this experience, his mission to the city, was going to go down like Sodom and Gomorrah. He, the Prophet, didn't see the mercy of the Lord coming and when it did, he was upset. The Sarmatians were ruthless and rotten and the prophet struggled with the forgiveness of his enemies. 

Sometimes we understand but we still struggle too with forgiveness forgetting that we are not perfect too. He needs to show charity or agape (unconditional love) to those that seek forgiveness, seek repentance. We should want has for others as much as we desire it for ourselves. 

This week pray for your nonmember friends and family. Recognize that they are as perfect as we are and need a Savior too. Be a missionary not just wait for a mission. Bare your testimony, don't wait for someone to ask. Pray often and ask for and offer forgiveness. You will be better at it. 

Again we love you and know that when trouble swallows you that God will provide a way out. Also know God will forgive the repentant.

Challenges 
1) Read Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
2) Take time to prayerfully seek opportunities to forgive and to testify of the Savior. Write down your impressions and experiences throughout the week.

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