When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
"Do you do well to be angry?" I love this question.
We hate those that hate us. It burns in our stomachs and we pray, in a "good" way, for God to smack them down. For them to suffer as we have suffered. For them to feel the pain that we have felt. We spend so much time, and drag so much emotional baggage along, just focusing on them.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
From the weakest will come the greatest.
It is never a surprise when you see the great athlete win the game. It can only come from God when the weak destroy the strong.
We may focus on the strength and wealth men. On the things that men can do. But, know that through what you never expected ... God will work. For then it is obvious that it is His hand and not yours.
And it is within the hard times of life that you will see this.
When your bank account gets empty, the crops fail, your job is gone, you become ill ...
Looking around it will become obvious that your own hand can do nothing. When we are at our weakest ... God's hand is moving. And by His strength alone will we survive.
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
How much does it take to break you?
Just consider stealing. When would you break from your sin and confess to God?
When you walk away from the counter even though they gave you too much change?
When you write down too much money on your trip report for your job?
When your dad catches you taking money from his wallet?
When you kids catch you giving less to the church so you can buy something for yourself?
When you go to jail for stealing from your business' customers?
We all fall somewhere along the above path. Whether it is sexual sin, stealing, or worshiping the world; there will come a time when God's words in your heart become forceful. Listen to Him and act now. Not later. Because everything has a breaking point. Just break as soon as possible.
Speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.
The Word of God is true and eternal. It doesn't favor anyone. Not and rich and not the poor. Not the people up high and not the people down at the bottom of life.
When we read it God is speaking to us. On how to live and on how we will be corrected if we continue on the wrong path.
We listen to it and we read it. And we know that whether we actually listen and burn it upon our minds and hearts ... or refuse the truth. It is still true.
Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.
As a Christian what is the temple of the LORD? You are.
God points out to Ezekiel the abominations that were in the temple. Other gods. Idols. The worship of the sun. If God took you on a tour of your own soul what would you see? When you look in deep within yourself do you see other gods?
Our time is spent on us. So I suppose you would see a huge golden idol made to look like the ideal you. Sculpted muscles and a beautiful body.
Our time is spent chasing after money. So I suppose you would see carvings of the chase upon the walls. Wealthy men purchasing the best of everything. Wealthy women at leisure doing as they pleased.
And you would would be found bowing down under a bright spot light. The spot light of fame. Where others cheer you on and praise all the little things you do. No matter how stupid.
I know I need to clean the temple of the LORD. Do you?
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar.
"They will get what the deserve in the end." I've said that and have heard other Christians say that as well. If said in the context of this world and this life ... it isn't true. If said in the context of a saved Christian ... it definitely isn't true.
In this world good people pass on never getting a break or having peace in their lives. And evil people pass on never being punished for their sins.
And a saved Christian KNOWS that they will not get what they deserve in the end. Because they know what they deserve is eternal punishment. They are joyful that the Grace of God rather gives them what they do not deserve.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
The ribbons of concrete in our cities show us running around as aimless ants. We get up early and toil. We go to bed late and worry about the next day. We eat in worry and anger over our jobs. And sleep never comes at night without a drug to help.
Give it up. Give it all up to God.
If you live to get to work and home. Praise God for it.
If you have a meal to eat. Praise God for it.
If you have a coworker. Love them.
If you have a family. Love them as God does ... with sacrifice.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
I love giving smothering hugs to my kids. To wrap them up completely. For now my youngest son will only do that with Mom. And it is an wonderful thing to see when he is tired and resting in her loving arms.
To see a ball of energy like him quiet and still. That is the peace that God gives each of us. We just have to let it go and trust him. We will not climb higher by stressing out. So be at peace with what God has given you.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Maybe instead of W.W.J.D. wristbands we should have A.F.G. (All For God) wristbands. It isn't a question, we know what God wants us to do. So why not, knowing that God is seen through our actions, remind ourselves that we are to "Do ALL to the glory of God".
Not some of our day. Not just Sunday. Not just at meal time.
