A Lesson from Jonah

     Many lessons could be ascertained from the short book of Jonah, but one that may be overlooked, which is of utmost importance is God’s Providence.  Four times (1:17, 4:6, 4:7, 4:8) we see that God prepared something for Jonah.  First, it was a great fish to swallow him; second, a plant to shade him.  Then God arranged for a worm to eat the plant that He provided.  Lastly, a strong east wind was prepared.

     All of these provisions were designed with one distinct purpose in mind: get Jonah’s mind on the right track.  God used different circumstances, that many of us would say were awful, to draw Jonah’s attention back to Himself.  The same could be true in some circumstances in your life today.  Maybe God is allowing certain events to occur in your life as an attempt to draw you back to Himself.  Many resist God’s calling, choosing rather to blame Him than submit to His will.  I do not claim to understand why all things happen in today’s society (death, destruction, poverty and starvation), but I do understand that I serve a Sovereign God who controls the wind and waves and has a perfect plan that I may not understand.

     I also believe in God’s promise found in Romans 8:28.  It says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  For the God-seeker, life is centered on the understanding that God is in control and that He wants what is best for us, even if we do not understand it now.
   
    Will you submit to His will?  Will you surrender your will and allow Him to begin to direct your steps?