God’s Plans Will Prevail

Jonah 1:1-17

Jonah fled toward Tarshish to escape God’s plan. Perhaps the prophet thought that ignoring a divine command would cause the Lord to withdraw or change it. Instead, God dramatically intervened in Jonah’s life until he submitted.

Jonah believed he had good reason to be reluctant. The Ninevites were a brutal civilization determined to conquer Israel. So walking across the city while crying, “Nineveh will be overthrown” was a frightening thought. And, as the prophet later revealed, he worried that God would spare the city if the people repented (Jonah 4:2). Jonah wanted them destroyed for what they had done to his people. His reasons for fleeing seemed right in his own eyes. But God was not deterred.

There’s no justification for rebellion. God desires our obedience. He has reasons for asking us to take a specific action, and His purposes are always good.

The Lord doesn’t change His plan to suit our purpose. Rather, He’ll use events, people, circumstances, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit to move us into the center of His will. For your own benefit, go willingly. You may not particularly like the task God assigns, but if He wants it done, then trust that it must be worthwhile.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 3-5