Jonah 4 Devo

July 28th, 2019

Devotional

“Angry with God” -

      Jonah 4: 1-11

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Monday: “Displeasing to Jonah” - Jonah 4: 1-5

  Jonah. Poor Jonah. He suffered from a syndrome that many of us can fall into from time to time - thinking that we know what is right. That our way is the best way. Jonah entered into Ninevah with one thing on his mind - their utter destruction. So when God changed his mind, Jonah had an angry reaction to this displeasing news. 

Of course, Jonah seemed also have totally forgotten when he stood in need of God’s mercy. Not too long ago he found himself in the belly of a large fish for his disobedience, and yet, he was angry that God showed that same mercy to others. 

It is almost as if Jonah had totally forgotten the parts of his life as we refer to as Jonah 1:17 - 2:10. What was he supposed to learn from this experience both about God and about himself?

How has the mercy you have received from God influence how you react to other people?

Prayer: God of mercy and grace, we confess that we often desire your forgiveness for ourselves, but sometimes become angry when you show that same forgiveness to others. O Lord, speak to our hearts. Remind us of when we, too, were far from you. Tell us again the story of your redeeming love towards us, we pray. Amen. 

Tuesday: “A Bush” -Jonah 4: 6-8

The God of all will use any means necessary to speak to our hard hearts. For the Ninavites it was the cries of the prophet Jonah. For Jonah himself, it was a storm, being swallowed by a large fish, and now a bush. A bush that Jonah found pleasing at first, but when it was devoured by a worm, he again became displeased. 

God is not beyond disciplining us in many fashions. Discipline isn’t just about correcting using the moment as much as shaping us for the future, but Jonah keeps missing the point. God has went to so many lengths to speak to him, redeem him, and use him, but he is so focused on looking inward and his own perceptions that he is missing the very heart of God. 

How has God disciplined you in love when you needed it? What was that experience like? What did you learn?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we often miss the point. In our own selfishness we make so much in life about us, when it really about us. Don’t give up on us, O Lord. Strip our selfishness away so that we can see clearly what you are doing in and through us. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Is it Right?” - Jonah 4: 9-11

In a lot of ways, the ending to both this chapter and with it the entire book of Jonah is an unsatisfying one. It ends with God reproving Jonah. Not the Ninevites. The prophet that God sent.

Yet, how often do we stand in need of being reproved, as well?

Sometimes we look around and compare ourselves to other people, especially in terms of sin, and we become blind to the sin in our own lives that is choking our very spirits. 

Jonah needed to hear these words of the Lord so that he, too, had another chance to repent and grow closer to God. 

How do you wish that the book of Jonah would have ended?

Prayer: Lord, we need to be delivered. Delivered from our sin. Delivered from our inability to see and confess that sin at times. Free us, O Lord. Reprove us when necessary so that the chains of sin in our heart may be broken. Amen. 

Thursday: “Veiled” -2 Cor 4: 3-4

  While Jonah did go and proclaim God’s message to the Ninavites after being cast forth from the whale, he seemed to do so reluctantly. In chapter four we find that he had a fear in his heart that God would show mercy. Which is exactly what happened. 

He both could clearly perceive what God was doing and was blind to why God was doing it.

Sometimes we can clearly see the work of God in the world. The work of redemption, love, forgiveness, and mercy. Yet, at the same time we don’t always understand or see clearly. 

  What prevents us from either recognizing or understanding the work of God?

Prayer: Lord, in your Word, the apostle Paul writes that sometimes it seems like the Gospel is veiled. If we are honest with ourselves, it is not just veiled to unbelievers. For we do not always clearly understand either, precious Lord. Help us to see with your eyes and respond with your heart we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “Go” - Matthew 28:19

  Jonah was not thrilled to hear the call of God to “go”, either the first or the second time. We, too, hear the call of God to go. To sometimes go to places we would rather not go. Or to bring a message we would rather not bring. Or to speak with people we would rather disregard. Yet, like the prophet Jonah, we hear the unmistakeable call to go. Not for our own sake, but for the sake of the Kingdom of God,

Where is God calling you to “go” for the sake of the Gospel?

Prayer: Lord, send us we pray. Send us to the places where people need to hear the good news. Send us to the places where we can form relationships with people. Send us to the people you so deeply care about. Send us, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Gospel in Board Games: Life” - Matthew 6: 9-15, 19-21 and Matthew 5: 29-30, 43-48,