What Obstructs Being Able to Recognize God's Purpose?

Jonah’s feelings about Nineveh being totally destroyed, including each person, all livestock, and every building, were clear. Listen to his message to the city: “Forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed!” That’s a three-second, eight-word message, but it was powerful and effective.

Jonah constructed a shelter on the perimeter of the city to witness Nineveh’s destruction. However the people turned from their evil ways and repented, prompting God to give them absolution which caused Jonah to become infuriated with God.

Becoming fixated in anger insured Jonah’s misunderstanding of God’s love and forgiveness. However you can rise above resentment, disappointment, and anger by being accountable to God for the good things the future holds as you respond to God’s forgiveness, love, and mercy. He invites you to make a new beginning today regardless of your past. 

Will you receive it? God is waiting.              

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For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield for those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of the faithful ones. 

~Proverbs 2:6-8 New International Version 

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Does God Always Do What Is Best for Everyone?

To say that Jonah was a complex person is to understate the mixture of responses he demonstrated in being selected to take God’s message to the evil city of Nineveh. He failed to show compassion when the people repented and God graciously forgave them.

Imagine Jonah in a state of rage yelling at God for saving Nineveh. Listen to his tirade: “I knew you were a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind and always ready to change your mind and not punish.” His rage soon turned to depression, followed by a wish to die.

An important lesson for us to learn is, God does not act according to our assessment of a situation, but does what is best for everyone. You, like Jonah, may disagree. 

As you face an uncertain time, God will give you clarity on how to manage your situation as you cooperate with him to bring about his perfect will.                      

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The Lord says: “My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.” 

~Isaiah 55:8-9 Contemporary English Version 

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 

~Psalm 145:3 New International Version 

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Are You Facing a Defining Moment in Your Life?

A personal defining moment may occur when your attitudes and beliefs are challenged regarding what it means to be anchored in God’s family. When Jonah accepted God’s call to preach to the city of Nineveh, he faced a personal crisis concerning who should be loved by God.

After the people of Nineveh repented of their wickedness and gave their hearts to God, Jonah’s heart was filled with anger. What gave this emotion so much force in Jonah’s life? In this defining moment Jonah was possessed by a faulty perception of God’s love and mercy.

Jonah was angry because God did not destroy Nineveh. He was given an opportunity to live above prejudice and faulty religious beliefs but failed to do so. Facing a defining moment could occur as you face being available for all God has prepared for you to do and become. 

How will you decide? May God bless and guide your decision.

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ~Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version 

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How Important Is It to Keep Your Promises to God?

God performed a miracle by saving Jonah from a darkness that would have terminated his life. God delivered Jonah so he would have a second chance to be accountable to God’s call. Listen to his gratitude: “I’m worshipping you, my God, by expressing my thanksgiving. I will do what I promised to do, for my salvation comes from you, my Lord and God.”

When God issued him a second call to go to Nineveh, Jonah, this time, would follow God’s instructions to the letter. A second miracle God performed in Jonah’s life was inspiring the words to be preached to Nineveh with such power that the people immediately repented and received God’s salvation.

Jonah knew he could do nothing without God’s power and blessings. The fact that he was delivered from darkness anchored his belief in God’s power. 

God’s faithfulness is not restricted by mankind’s weakness, so rejoice in the Lord and keep your promises to him. You will be blessed.                         

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The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 

~Proverbs 11:3 New International Version 

For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

~Philippians 1:6 New American Standard Bible 

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Is There Darkness in Your Life That Needs God's Light?

Every Christian can identify with Jonah in some unique way. With few exceptions, everyone has heard about his attempt to run from God’s calling only to end up inside a huge fish. There in darkness he could see with clarity what it means to be submissive and obedient to God’s call.

Listen as he describes that horrifying experience. “When my life was slipping away, in distress I called to you and you answered me, O God.” This experience clearly influenced Jonah’s decision to go on to Nineveh, although his propensity to hate the people there remained unchanged. 

God sent Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, David’s hometown. This event was a defining moment for the world and the start of a revolution that would change millions of people. 

Why not ask God to help you see with clarity how he wants you to change so you can love and serve him more completely?                   

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Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 

~Psalm 55:22 New International Version 

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Do We Reflect Jonah's Character Trait of Defiance?

Although Jonah submitted to what God commissioned him to do, he failed to develop a positive attitude related to God’s calling him to preach in Nineveh. While Jonah delivered God’s message with conviction, something was missing in his heart.

Jonah hated Nineveh. God, however, demonstrated his grace and mercy to the people of Nineveh by forgiving and saving them. We, like Jonah, can be unavailable to God by embracing resentment.

Now is the time for to you turn your heart toward God by being receptive to his vision and purpose for you. 

God demonstrated his love and compassion to you by sending Jesus to save you from a view of life that’s too narrow. God loved you so much he commissioned Jesus be your Savior, and that’s well worth celebrating from the depths of your heart. God’s desire is to put love for all people in your heart. So give thanks to God for what you can be now.                  

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The Lord said to his people, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it and you will live in peace.” But they said, “No, we will not!” 

~Jeremiah 6:16 Good News Bible

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

~John 3:16 New International Version 

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What Makes Responding to God's Call So Difficult?

Jonah’s reluctance to take God’s message to the people of Nineveh made it impossible for him to receive the joy God wanted to give him. The effort Jonah expended trying to escape God’s call far exceeded what was necessary for declining God’s invitation to serve him.

Completely surrendering to God’s call requires commitment. I’m not referring to one particular thing God has called you to do, but holding on to a faulty belief system restricts God’s purpose for you. Jonah mistakenly believed the people of Nineveh were not worth saving and refused to change his mind.

Jonah refused to believe God’s love was available to all people. Jesus came to be Lord and Savior to everyone who would receive him, which is difficult for some people to accept.

Joyfully give your heart to God so you will be receptive to what Jonah missed – a heartfelt love for all of God’s people – and that’s a precious blessing.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

~Hebrews 12:1 New International Version 

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