February 3
Straight from the Pastor’s Heart by Dr.Hernes Abante
Jonah 1:2-3 - “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa, and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
The story of Jonah is a great reminder of how we should respond to God's command. It also teaches us that sometimes we may disobey God's instructions, thinking that we know better, but He is always gracious to allow us to reconsider our ways. He will enable us to change and grow rather than punish us for our mistakes. Let us strive to listen to God's voice and follow His direction in our lives.
God's desire will always prevail, regardless of our actions. Our disobedience cannot frustrate His desire or make Him desperate. God is unchanging and unaffected by our obedience or disobedience. Nothing can delay or alter His will, which will always be fulfilled according to His plan.
Disobeying and committing sins can cause grief and quenching in the heart of God. But we must remember that our actions cannot impede His divine plan. He has called us to transform ourselves according to His will and to experience His grace. Despite our unworthiness, we are privileged to be a part of His plan and to enjoy Him forever.
The story of Jonah tells us about his attempt to flee from the presence of the Lord. His reluctance to extend grace to the people of Nineveh made him want them to suffer utter destruction. He hoped that they would reject the grace of God, but God saw their repentance. As a result, God forgave them and spared them from judgment. This story serves as a reminder that God's grace and mercy are available to all who seek it.
Jonah highlights an important lesson beyond the obvious theme of disobedience. It describes his reluctance to extend God's grace to those God wanted him to reach out to. Although the people were sinful and wayward, God's willingness to forgive and restore was evident.
Furthermore, the story teaches us the importance of following God's commands without adding our opinions or perspectives. We must obey God's instructions without taking anything personally or allowing our personal feelings to cloud our judgment. This is an important lesson that we can learn from Jonah's experience.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear God, help us always to follow Your command without hesitation and to trust Your plan without doubt. Like Jonah, we have disobeyed You, thinking that our ways were better than Yours. We ask for Your help to make us humble in our obedience and gracious to those who have yet to know You as we do. Lead us always to strive to bring blessings to others instead of cursing and forgive them as You always forgive us. We pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.