DEC. 9, 2013
The
Good And The Bad
Read: Jonah 4
The Lord God prepared a plant [for] shade . . . [and] a worm,
and it so damaged the plant that it withered. —Jonah 4:6-7
The
story of the rebellious prophet Jonah shows us how God desires to use both blessings
and trials to challenge us and change us for the better. Five times in the book
of Jonah it says that the Lord prepared circumstances for him—both good and
bad.
In
Jonah 1:4 we read that the Lord sent a storm. It says He “sent out a great wind
on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea.” After the mariners
discovered that Jonah was the reason for this storm, they threw him overboard
(1:15). Then God “prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah” to save him from
drowning (1:17).
Later
in the book we read that “the Lord God prepared a plant” to shade Jonah (4:6).
Then we see that God prepared a worm to kill the vine as well as a scorching
wind and sun to beat down upon him (4:7-9). These circumstances were used to
reveal Jonah’s rebellious attitude. Only after that revelation could God
directly confront Jonah’s heart problem.
As
we face different situations, we should remember that God is sovereign over
both the blessings and the troubles that come our way. He desires to use
everything to build our character (James 1:1-5). He uses both good and bad to
transform us and guide us on our journey.
The Maker of the universe
Knows every need of man,
And made provision for that need
According to His plan. —Crane
The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the Lord.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
