Fast Like DanielSample

God is God All the Time

I bet you’ve heard the story of Jonah—how he ran from God, got swallowed by a whale (or fish, depending on your translation of the story), spent three nights in it’s belly on the Red Eye to Nineveh, and then preached repentance to those crazy pagans.

But have you ever seen why Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh? It was because he hated them, and he wanted to see them burn. That’s right—this man of God, a prophet who delivered God’s words to His people, didn’t want to obey because, who knows, God may have mercy on them.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m the one who needs grace and mercy, I definitely want God to have mercy on me when I deserve anything but. Yet when someone sins against me, I really want God to get them! Right? Doesn’t that seem just—that when we Christians get abused, our all-powerful God is supposed to get into the whole “smiting” groove and blast them with a lightning bolt or two?

That’s what Jonah wanted, that’s what we can want—but that’s NOT what God wants. God loves leaving the door open for “who knows” prayers: opportunities for Him to do what we least expect, like forgiving the horrible city of Nineveh.

Do you have it all figured out? Do you know what God’s going to do? If so, stop reading this, because it isn’t for you. As a matter of fact, nothing can help you because, remember, you already have it figured out. But if you can admit that you haven’t got God all figured out, you need to be open to “who knows” kinds of prayers.

Be open to God doing whatever He wants to do in a situation, even if it isn’t what you want. Never be afraid to persistently pray, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” 

You’re about to read the account of Jonah having a “who knows” moment. God’s about to show Himself to be the same God during the Old Testament as He is today—merciful. He’s never changed, and He never will. He is always good, always forgiving, and always willing to prove the Jonahs of the world wrong. Persistently seek Him today as you fast and pray.