READING:
One-year plan: Jonah 1-4, Micah 1-3, Revelation 12:1-13:10
Two-year plan: 2 Chronicles 6, Acts 4:1-12
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Jonah was a fleeing prophet, running from the task of preaching judgment to his enemies. He knew who God was — “a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2) — and he did not want God to forgive the Ninevites. What most strikes me is the fact that Jonah was able to sleep “a deep sleep” (Jonah 1:5) even when a God-sent storm rocked the ship in which he rested. He was fully disobedient to God, and yet he slept well. I do not understand how a man in deliberate rebellion against God can still rest as Jonah did, but it happens.
And then I think of Jesus sleeping in the boat when the roaring storm frightened even the seasoned fishermen who were His disciples (Mark 4:35-41). They questioned whether Jesus cared, assuming wrongly that His sleeping was a sign of His unconcern. It was hardly that, however; Jesus slept because He was tired while being directly in the center of His Father’s will. His sleep must have been deep, with nothing blocking His relationship with the Father. That kind of sleep I do understand, and I wish I could experience it more.
Jonah slept in disobedience; Jesus slept in obedience. The former is deeply alarming, and the latter is resoundingly sweet. Both, frankly, are amazing. It’s amazing when we can rest in rebellion, and it’s amazing when we can rest in His arms.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Which are you doing today—sleeping in disobedience or resting in obedience?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, let me rest in obedience today.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Micah 4-7, Nahum 1-3, Revelation 13:11-14:20
Two-year plan: 2 Chronicles 7:1-9:12, Acts 4:13-22
*first published in 2016
