In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.- 1 John 4:10 (NKJV)
Throughout God’s Word we read of righteous men like Joseph, Job, and Stephen. Men who desired to serve God and tried to follow His plan for their lives. We are saddened by the tragedies and suffering they faced and praise God for the love and mercy He poured out to them.
Then we read about Jonah. Jonah was a prophet. He was a man sent to tell the truth of God’s message. Jonah was fully aware of God’s power and provision. Jonah was fully aware of God’s plan for his life. But unlike Joseph or Job, Jonah chose his misery. Hearing God’s call, Jonah turned and walked away. Jonah deliberately disobeyed God. His own disobedience led to his suffering. No one caused Jonah’s trouble. There was no one else to blame. Jonah found himself in the belly of a fish due to his own defiance.
Yet, when Jonah cried out to Him, God poured out His amazing grace.
Have you found yourself in darkness due to your own disobedience? Good news! God still loves you. Even though you may have thrown yourself into a dark pit, God loves you enough to pull you out.
God knows all. In spite of bad choices, God’s only desire it to draw you near to Him, put you in the center of His will, and give you the life He’s purposed; filled with peace and joy.
