God’s Plans

Jonah had given up everything to follow God’s call. Yes, for a time he had run away, but God had brought him through the belly of a great fish, and he’d emerged, humbled and ready to obey. He faithfully went to Nineveh, where he proclaimed God’s message that judgment was coming…unless they repented.

Then something amazing happened! The people, even the king, actually heeded Jonah’s warning and repented. As a result, “God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared…He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10). This miracle demonstrated the mercy of God.

One would think that Jonah would have been pleased by this turn of events. As a result of his ministry, thousands had responded positively and heeded his warning. Lives had been spared. But, instead, Jonah was puzzled and even angry. He seemed to feel that God had made him look like a fool. He’d been expecting judgment and was not prepared for this outcome.

Clearly, Jonah was not thinking primarily about God or His Kingdom. He wasn’t worried about the people of Nineveh or thankful that they’d repented. Rather, his first concern was about his personal reputation and credibility. He was more interested in seeing God’s judgment than His mercy. As strange as this sounds, it seems he would’ve been happier and more satisfied if judgment had come, as he’d prophesied.

Through the experience of Jonah, we see so clearly that God’s will and ways are higher than ours. We must obey Him and not depend on our own ideas.

Today, commit your life anew to God. Submit your life to Him. Seek to be faithful to Him. Be ready to follow His plans, wherever they lead.