Pleasing God

Jonah had run away from the assignment God had given him. Eventually he obeyed His call, delivering a message of pending judgment to the people of Nineveh. Having risked his life for this difficult assignment, Jonah surely expected God to fulfill the threat. But, when the people repented, God responded with mercy, not judgment.

In the aftermath, Jonah felt empty, angry, and puzzled, more concerned with his own reputation than the people of Nineveh. Rather than being pleased that so many had responded to his warnings, he felt that his credibility as a prophet had been damaged. Who would believe his words in the future?

He reacted by looking at circumstances from his human point of view. His focus was not on God or His mercy. And he forgot that God was sovereign, and that His ways are higher than our ways, that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Our task is to trust Him, obeying His Word and fulfilling the assignments He gives us.

We need to remember the importance of submitting our lives to Him, and being committed to please Him and trust Him. But we also must remember that, in every situation, He is Lord of all. He may lead us in ways that surprise us, and events may unfold in ways that may be different than we expect. But, in every situation, we can depend upon Him and know that He will use us, as we are faithful to His call.

Today, seek to please God with your life, and fulfill the assignments you have been given. Seek first His Kingdom, always desiring to do His will. You may not always understand His ways. But make it your goal to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).