GOOD PLANS FOR JONAH, JESUS, AND ME
Kendra Intihar
Today's Scripture: “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ’As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV
Theme: Even if I don’t like my circumstances, I can trust that God’s plans are good.
A LITTLE DRAMATIC
We’re probably not supposed to pick favorite Bible stories, but just between you and me, Jonah is in my top five. I have never related more to a Bible hero than that moment in Jonah chapter 4, when his shade plant withers away, and God says, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And Jonah responds, “Yes, it’s right! I’m angry enough to die!”
Friends, that is legend-level drama. God gave him a surprise plant for shade, and then when God took the same plant away, Jonah told God he was so mad he could die. Jonah and I will be besties in heaven.
JONAH AND JESUS
The Gospels inform us that perhaps the story of a very imperfect Jonah was pointing to the story of a perfect Savior all along (Matthew 12:38-42). The key difference between the two stories is this: whereas God had to drag Jonah kicking and screaming into his predestined ministry, Jesus went willingly into the ministry that was prepared for Him.
There are several parallels between Jesus and Jonah that first century readers would’ve immediately noticed: The story of Jonah records a miraculous calming of the sea, and all four Gospels record that Jesus miraculously calmed the sea, also. The story of Jonah records a three-day “entombment,” just as Jesus was entombed three days. The story of Jonah has the fulfillment of God’s plan to preach a message of salvation to the Gentiles (specifically, the Ninevites), and Jesus makes clear that although He came to the Jews, the message would now be given to others (Mark 12:1-11).
THE PATIENCE OF GOD
Jonah sought the Lord in the belly of that fish because he was at the end of himself. What else could he do? God rescued him, and then Jonah begrudgingly brought the Good News to Nineveh. We never see Jonah come to repentance over his temper tantrums, but we do see our God gently parenting Jonah all the way to the very end. “...may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…?” Jonah 4:11 (CSB). How patient the Lord is with us. How eager He is for us to come alongside Him and be like-minded with Him (see Philippians 2:5).
I’m so encouraged by this story. Jesus is the Messiah who comes to perfectly fulfill the prophets (Matthew 5:17). Jonah’s story reminds me that, in Christ, my path will be made perfect. Just like with Jonah, God will accomplish His plans in my life, even if He must drag me (tenderly) along for the journey.
Make it Personal: Do you ever have Jonah moments? Moments you are so frustrated (or sad, or lonely, or confused…) that you just want to shake your fist at God? When we’re at the end of ourselves, we are in the best possible position to relinquish control and let God have His way in our lives. God is faithful, even when we are behaving like Jonah – a hopeful thought for all of us.
Pray: God, help me to remember Your great love for me and for the people you put into my path. Let me walk in the ministry You have perfectly prepared for me without complaining or grumbling. And, when I am “entombed” in troubles of my own making, help me to wholeheartedly seek Your face. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4, NIV