by Charity Pence
This week's verse: "Then the Lord said, 'Is it right for you to be angry?'" (NKJ)
There are a lot of tragedies in this world that I have a hard time wrapping my head around. People cause destruction and devastation with their actions, and those of us to witness such things cry out for justice. But I often catch myself and wonder how I should really feel.
I was reading the story of Jonah a few days ago and something struck me. The story begins with Jonah's blatant disobedience to God. God had instructed Jonah to preach to the people at Nineveh, but Jonah refused and went the opposite direction. For his actions, Jonah was rewarded by being tossed out to sea, swallowed by a big fish, and then vomited onto dry land. God spoke to Jonah a second time. "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." Jonah 3:2 (NKJ) Jonah finally listened, and by reading further we learn why Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh. The end of chapter three says the people turned from their evil way so God's anger relented. "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord and said, 'Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, one who relents from doing harm.'" Jonah 4:1-2 (NKJ) Jonah didn't believe the people deserved God's forgiveness. He didn't think it was right. From this part of the story we learn a couple things. First of all, God's will will be accomplished. Jonah had tried to flee, but God intervened. Next, we learn our Heavenly Father is quick to forgive when we repent. These are great lessons. But what stood out to me as I read about Jonah was what God said in verse 4. "Then the Lord said, 'Is it right for you to be angry?'"
When we hear of bombings, shootings, murders, kidnappings, and countless other tragedies, aren't we quick to anger? Like me, do you watch the news, anxiously waiting to hear the perpetrator has been caught so he or she can be punished? Despite how angry I get, I find myself thinking of how God must be grieving, not just for the innocent blood shed but also for the person who strayed so far from God's plan that he took innocent life. This is where I throw in a disclaimer stating anger in itself isn't wrong. Anger is an emotion we were created with, and it lets us know a wrong has been committed. But there is a difference in being angry and being so angry that we decide what is right, we decide the punishment. When Jonah's anger got the best of him, God corrected him.
Our Lord is forgiving; the Bible assures us of this. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJ) And 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So the next time a tragedy occurs, let us think of God first. Let us remember who God is so we can show Him to the world and give all the opportunity to truly be sorry and repent.
Dear Heavenly Father, It is hard to grasp why such horrible things are allowed to occur in this world. For reasons we may never know, there are people who inflict harm upon others and innocent lives are taken. But I trust You, Lord, and know You have a plan. You are the judge; I am not. Forgive me for the times I try to take that title from You and place it upon myself. Fill me with Your love and mercy so I can share it with this hurting world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
1 John 2:25 "And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life." (NKJ)
1 John 3:11 "For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." (NKJ)
Showing posts with label Jonah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonah. Show all posts
Friday, June 28, 2013
Sunday, April 1, 2012
If God Leads, Will You Follow?
by Charity Pence
This Week’s Verse: 1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
I have been at my current job for three years. To some people, that may not seem like a long time. However, when I began working there my intent was to be there for no more than a year and a half. I was going to go to grad school, but that did not turn out the way I expected. Okay, who am I kidding? I felt like that door was slammed in my face. But I know God has a plan for me, and my current job is just a stepping stone to where God wants me to be. The question is, when God finally calls me, will I be ready to follow Him?
In the first chapter of Jonah, we learn God called Jonah for a particular task, and Jonah went the opposite direction. Jonah didn’t want any part of the work God was calling him to do. A raging sea and the belly of a great fish were needed to convince Jonah that he would be better off serving God. When I read this story, I wonder how often we make things worse for ourselves by doing our own thing rather than what God has called us to do.
In previous posts, I have mentioned that I believe God gave me the ability and desire to write. I have found myself regularly asking God what He wants me to do. Although I have been given the opportunity to do these devotions, I do not believe this is all God has in store. I love to write. I know what I want to write. But what if what I want is not what God wants? Am I willing to trade my plans for God’s?
Have you ever considered how many of the disciples wanted to leave everything they had behind to follow Jesus? “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed him.” Matt. 4:18-20 (NKJ) The last verse makes the choice seem so simple. They immediately left. If God called you today away from your job, your family, would you go?
At some point we are all called by God to a particular task. But will we answer?
Dear Heavenly Father, my desire to serve you is real. As I seek your guidance, continue preparing me for your work so that when the time comes for me to go, I will go immediately. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application: God calls each and every one of us to serve Him. But what He calls one to do may not be the same as what He calls the next person to do. God may ask you to leave for a specific destination. Or He may ask you to complete a task closer to home. Whichever the case, continue to seek His presence. If you trust Him, He will prepare you.
Power Verses:
Matt. 9:9 “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (NIV)
John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (NKJ)
Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (NKJ)
by Charity Pence
This Week’s Verse: 1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
I have been at my current job for three years. To some people, that may not seem like a long time. However, when I began working there my intent was to be there for no more than a year and a half. I was going to go to grad school, but that did not turn out the way I expected. Okay, who am I kidding? I felt like that door was slammed in my face. But I know God has a plan for me, and my current job is just a stepping stone to where God wants me to be. The question is, when God finally calls me, will I be ready to follow Him?
In the first chapter of Jonah, we learn God called Jonah for a particular task, and Jonah went the opposite direction. Jonah didn’t want any part of the work God was calling him to do. A raging sea and the belly of a great fish were needed to convince Jonah that he would be better off serving God. When I read this story, I wonder how often we make things worse for ourselves by doing our own thing rather than what God has called us to do.
In previous posts, I have mentioned that I believe God gave me the ability and desire to write. I have found myself regularly asking God what He wants me to do. Although I have been given the opportunity to do these devotions, I do not believe this is all God has in store. I love to write. I know what I want to write. But what if what I want is not what God wants? Am I willing to trade my plans for God’s?
Have you ever considered how many of the disciples wanted to leave everything they had behind to follow Jesus? “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed him.” Matt. 4:18-20 (NKJ) The last verse makes the choice seem so simple. They immediately left. If God called you today away from your job, your family, would you go?
At some point we are all called by God to a particular task. But will we answer?
Dear Heavenly Father, my desire to serve you is real. As I seek your guidance, continue preparing me for your work so that when the time comes for me to go, I will go immediately. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application: God calls each and every one of us to serve Him. But what He calls one to do may not be the same as what He calls the next person to do. God may ask you to leave for a specific destination. Or He may ask you to complete a task closer to home. Whichever the case, continue to seek His presence. If you trust Him, He will prepare you.
Power Verses:
Matt. 9:9 “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (NIV)
John 12:26 “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (NKJ)
Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (NKJ)
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