Jonah 4 - 12.6.23

Scripture

Jonah 4:1-2 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Observation

Jonah thinks he knows better than God!

Application

Jonah says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” That sounds like a God worthy of praise! But Jonah is not praising God, he is actually complaining that God is being gracious and compassionate to those that he thinks don’t deserve it. And what’s more, he says to God, I told you this was going to happen! I knew you were going to love those people even though I don’t think you should.

That sounds ridiculous, right? I am so thankful that God is gracious and compassionate. I am thankful that he is almighty and all-knowing and wants the best for me. But if I stop and really think about it, there are plenty of times that I have thought I knew better than God. There are times when I have ignored his guidance and direction, times when I decided to do things in my own strength or lean on my own understanding, times when I refused to put my trust in him. And when you think about it, that is just ridiculous too!

Proverbs 3:6 - in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this humbling reminder that you are the almighty. Please forgive me for my foolishness, the times when I think I know better than you do. I can do things the hard way and follow my own understanding, or I can take the easy path and let you be the guide.

- Debbie Dunn