Our God is in the business of making divine arrangements; the story of Jonah is a powerful reminder of this. The book of Jonah tells the story of the prophet’s flight from his assignment and how God stopped him. But it is much more than just a story of a man who spent three days and night in a fish. It is a powerful example of God’s mercy and grace, but mostly of His divine arrangements.
Jonah was given an assignment he found distasteful – to preach to the people of Nineveh. He felt the people deserved God’s judgment and not mercy, so he decided to go in an opposite direction away from God. But the God of divine arrangement intercepted his journey by sending a huge storm to stop him. No matter how far you have gone in the wrong direction, I pray that God will make arrangements to reorder your steps into His purpose. – Amen
Purpose in Divine Arrangements
There is a purpose attached to every divine arrangement. The purpose of the storm was to stop Jonah from going in the wrong direction. The sailors realized that Jonah was the cause of the storm, and as the storms got fierce, Jonah told the sailors to throw him into the sea. This was supposed to be imminent death for Jonah but again the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow him and take him to safety. The fish was his free ride back to dry land. When shame and danger are lurking around the corner, God will make arrangements for swift deliverance for you. – Amen.
After this miraculous deliverance, Jonah repented and went for his mission at Nineveh. He preached to them and the people repented of their sins. Nevertheless, Jonah became angry; he did not want God to forgive them. Are we sometimes narrow minded like Jonah? Do we often think the wicked does not deserve mercy? Forgiveness and salvation are free gifts from God to everyone.
Jonah went out of Nineveh and sat under a tree waiting to see what will become of the city. However, God in His mercy arranged for a leafy plant to grow. Its purpose was to provide shade for Jonah to ease his discomfort from the sun. Also, the Lord made arrangement for a worm. Its purpose was to damage the leafy plant and cause it to wither. Now, Jonah’s shade was gone. Finally, God arranged for a scorching wind to blow on him such that he wished to die. Jonah was angry that the plant had to die.
God is making arrangements for you!
Our Father is merciful and gracious. Jonah’s story is a reminder that the God of heaven is in the business of making arrangements. Just as He made different arrangements for Jonah to save him and to also teach him a lesson, be confident that God is making wonderful arrangements for you. He has not forgotten you. He is working something out for you, so rest in His promises.
Shalom!