READING: Obadiah, Jonah 1-4, Micah 1-2
Today’s devotion is actually a series of questions for self-reflection based on the book of Jonah. Below are the questions I ask myself today. I pray they will be helpful for you, too.
- Am I running from anything God wants me to do? Jonah had no question what God wanted, but he still ran as far as he could run — even so far he thought he could outrun God.
- Can I sleep in disobedience? It is both amazing and alarming that Jonah could be fully out of the Lord’s will, nevertheless sleep well, and still claim to fear God (Jon 1:5).
- Do I recognize the miracle of prayer? From the belly of the fish, Jonah prayed — and he recognized that God was so much different than the pagan idols. His God actually heard his prayers.
- Am I amazed by God’s grace? God used an imperfect fleeing prophet to preach a message that led a vicious pagan society to turn to Him. Do I believe such responses to the Word still happen?
- Is there anyone I do not want God to forgive? Jonah’s largest concern was that God would be Himself: He would be compassionate toward Jonah’s enemy, the Ninevites.
- Do I pay more attention to stuff than to people? Jonah was more concerned about a plant than people. My objects of attention may not be plants, but I know I sometimes worry more about “things” than people.
- If my story were to end today, how would it end? Jonah’s story ends with the prophet still displeased, with no indication that he responded positively to God’s rebuke. I want to put my head on my pillow tonight knowing that my walk with God is marked by purity, consistency, and a burden for the lost.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How do you answer these questions?
PRAYER: “God, help me to be honest with my responses.”
MONDAY’S READING: Micah 3-7, Nahum 1-2
*first published in 2015