Light for Your Path: Daily Bible Reflections

FRIDAY, 28 JUNE 2024

TEXT: Jonah 4:1-11

1. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.

2. So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.

3. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

4. Then the LORD said, “It is right for you to be angry?”

5. So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city.

6. And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

7. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.

8. And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

9. Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even death!”

10. But the LORD said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.

11. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than One Hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?”

(New King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: GOD’S WILL DOES NOT DEPEND ON YOU

The drama gets more interesting as Jonah challenges God’s determination to save a repentant nation!

He expressed his anger in verses 1-2 which showed that his disobedience was due to the fact that God had used him against his wish.

The good news about life is that there is a God who rules over the entire universe and all that happens therein is the expression of His will and is for His glory. This is a lesson Jonah had to learn the hard way.

The same Jonah who accused God of injustice was now angry with God because He allowed a plant that shielded him from the scorching sun to wilt dry!

Many church members today will gladly query God for granting our supposed enemies the opportunity to repent and obtain forgiveness and salvation.

Always seek to follow the will of God.

QUESTION: As a Christian, what should done to the terrorists ravaging communities across Nigeria or your country, especially as they affect you directly?

PRAYER: Allow you response to the question above to guide your prayers this day.