The Disobedience of Jonah

Woodlands church have been blessed to have new elder in Phil, whose gifts include excellent teaching! Although my family and I were not there last Sunday, I have had the chance to hear his talk; a part of a series with looking at God’s sovereignty in the life of Jonah - the whining prophet.

I hate Jonah; he is utterly detestable.

I hate him because he reminds me of myself, in that there are times when I would rather not do what God would love for me to do. I, like many, fall into narcissistic tendencies preferring to exalt self, than to taste, savor and enjoy him.

Similar to Jonah, there was a time in this life when the only option, in order to save face, was to jump ship and take my own life - in the same way that God prepared a fish to swallow Jonah to save him, God used all the surrounding events in my own life in order to save me. God is good and so merciful. Even though I have disobeyed, he has used my rebellion against him to lavish his grace on me.

What can one do, but simply say ‘thank you'.