GOD'S PLANS WILL TRIUMPH
Bible Readings
- Jonah 1:1 - Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
- Jonah 1:2 - Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
- Jonah 1:3 - But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
- Jonah 1:4 - But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
- Jonah 1:5 - Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
- Jonah 1:6 - So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
- Jonah 1:7 - And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
- Jonah 1:8 - Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
- Jonah 1:9 - And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
- Jonah 1:10 - Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
- Jonah 1:11 - Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
- Jonah 1:12 - And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
- Jonah 1:13 - Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
- Jonah 1:14 - Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.
- Jonah 1:15 - So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
- Jonah 1:16 - Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.
- Jonah 1:17 - Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
- Jonah 4:2 - And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Rebellion against God brings heartache.
Jonah went towards Tarshish to flee from God’s plan. Perhaps he thought that if he ignored the divine command, the Lord would change His mind. But God powerfully intervened in Jonah’s life and brought him to obedience.
Jonah had found his own reasons for hesitation. The Ninevites were a cruel people who wanted to destroy Israel. It was terrifying to walk through the city and declare, “Nineveh will be destroyed!” Moreover, Jonah later confessed that he was afraid God would forgive the city if they repented. He, however, wanted them to be punished. In his own eyes, his reasons seemed justified. But God’s plan did not change.
There is no justification for rebellion against God. God desires obedience from us. When He asks us to take a certain step, there is always a benevolent purpose behind it.
The Lord does not change His plan to suit our purposes. On the contrary, He brings us into the center of His will through events, people, circumstances, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us willingly obey for our own good. The task God gives us may not please us, but if He desires it, then it has value.
O Lord, grant me an obedient heart. Help me to choose Your will, not my own plan. I trust that Your ways are always good. Amen.
🤔 Reflection
In what area are you prone to run from God's call? Can you accept that God's plan is better than your own?
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