When Our Plans Change

O. T. #2171  "When Our Plans Change"

April 15, 2022

Jonah 4-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Do you get angry when your plans change? I am learning to adjust my plans whenever they change, considering that God has done it and I can better serve Him when I yield.

You are not alone if you get upset when plans change.The change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. When God saw what the Ninevites had done and how they stopped their evil ways, God decided to not carry out the destruction he had planned and threatened.

Jonah confronted his compassionate God and remarked that he knew that was going to happen before he left home. That was why Jonah fled. (verse 2) Don't you think God knew all of this already? Maybe Jonah had to get it off his chest.

Well, through it all, experiencing the storm, almost drowning, acids in the stomach of a whale for 3 days, walking 500 miles, preaching in a city of evil people did not change Jonah's heart from anger to compassion for the Ninevites when they repented.

The LORD replied, "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"(verse 4)

The thing is, friend, God loves to restore repentant sinners! We all need a God who will reverse His decision of judgment, but we are often so unlike God that we are unwilling to reverse our own judgmental decisions. Are there people in our life whose salvation would make us angry? If a certain person became a Christian would it disappoint us since we would have to treat them as a brother or sister? How would we fare before God, if He were as angry and unrelenting as us? (Tony Evans)

Help us let go of anger and hate for those who have hurt us so deeply. May we show mercy to them like You have shown to us, Jesus.

LET IT GROW

Jonah was so upset that he told God to take his life from him, for considered it better for him to die than to live. (verse 3) Maybe he was concerned with his reputation as a prophet of God.

You know what Jonah did after that? Ohm he didn't answer God's question, nor repented of his anger. Verse 5 tells us:

So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

My goodness, Jonah, you should be rejoicing that God is so merciful to us sinners and does not destroy us. One puff of wind and we would be dust. Was Jonah hoping that God would pull a Sodom and Gomorrah on Nineveh? God had some work to do on this prophet's heart.

He (Jesus) was pierced for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11)

Dear one, have you surrendered to God's plans for your life? His plans are always better. Is your soul washed in the blood of Jesus? Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Lord and Savior yet? Please do so now, if not yet.

Then we will be walking on the road of faith together with Jesus. And one day we can meet in heaven and get acquainted. What a day that will be! 

LET IT GO

                    ... of our plans and follow Jesus' plans for us.

                    ... of the worldly things and love Jesus most.

                    ... of hate, jealousy, revenge and let God take over.

Thank You, Sweet Jesus, for dying on that cruel cross to save us from our sins! Oh, how I love Jesus! Because He first love me!

Have a happy and blessed Easter, everyone! Enjoy life as a believer. Let Jesus fill you with His joy today. Does Jesus walk and talk with you along your road of life? He has provided for us eternal life. It can't get any better than that!