God's PlanSample

Jonah decided to sit outside Nineveh and wait for judgment to come, but it never does. God provides a plant to shade Jonah from the heat while he’s waiting but then kills it to show Jonah a lesson. Jonah responds with anger (are we surprised) but God responds like this: “‘You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?’” God’s question to Jonah draws the book to a close. God wanted to show Jonah just how little control he had. He gave Jonah a clear opportunity to choose trust, but we don’t know how Jonah responded. Instead, the question turns to each of us, as if the writers knew we needed to answer it for ourselves. Where do we need to surrender our plans in exchange for God’s? God’s plans are best. Are you going to trust him?

Challenge: Look at the list you made on day 1, and add to it. What did God show you this week? Take some time to reflect on what God taught you through Jonah’s story.