Wow, today all over the world there is a social disconnect and duress, lockout and lockdown! Our way of doing life threatened by the unknown and uncertainty of a new world, as the world we know now has changed dramatically. BUT Jehovah Raah, The Lord your Shepherd, already knew this was coming and totally Sovereign and in control all over the world. That leads us to the question how will we respond or see social disconnect, duress or lockout? An Interruption to you and your plans, or an Invitation from God for His plans?
How you answer this question will be greatly influenced and led by how you Know and See Your God to be, is He your Father? The One who has your WHOLE heart, mind, soul, and strength, The one in Ultimate Control, Creator of All or is He not?
Selah there, be vulnerable and allow Holy Spirit space and time to speak Truth, Peace, Hope, and Life into you as you embrace His invitation to rest with Him (Matthew 11:28-30) and Proverbs 3:5-6 to Trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding but seek Him first and His Kingdom.
Right Jonah seems very fitting for now, let’s continue.
We all like to exercise our right to choose and have choice, like over food we’ll eat, clothes we’ll wear, places we’ll go (out of lockdown) lawns we’ll mow these are all things we like as choices. Yet, will we see the unexpected, unwanted, undesired, unliked as social media down, the medical diagnosis, the bills that keep coming, the child that’s rebelling, as interruptions or invitations from God to know Him in a deeper way?
Will we ask God what is going on or will we seek our own understanding?
Jonah’s presented with a choice, how will he see and respond to God’s will, which is not just to obey, but to SURRENDER, yield, and exchange his own ideals, wants, agenda, judgement and instead PICK Up, yield to, Father’s agenda, ideal, wants, desire and justice. Jonah is being invited to believe the best in the one in front, and champion for Reconciliation, restoration, and full transformation in the one, few, or many and in this case the nation.
Yet Jonah’s mind was no and no and definitely not this is hopeless. But God always has a plan, way and timing to intervene, interrupt, and challenge the thinking, heart, posture and attitude, perspective and stance we have, to embrace His way, as Isaiah 55:8 says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts”
And Romans 11:33 “Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favour that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise!” (The Message).
Wow, selah there in that verse as we recall a few things, nothing is ‘quite like the Extravagant Generosity of God, deep, deep wisdom is Him, and it’s way over our heads, everything comes from Him, everything happens through Him and everything ends up in Him. Selah!
Jonah has unfortunately forgotten very rapidly what GRACE and MERCY from God looks like, especially as not that long ago he was swallowed up and stuck inside the fish, where God redeemed Him as a son.
But now back in Nineveh he won’t or can’t extend the offer of forgiveness, GRACE and MERCY to the Ninevites, that God lavishly poured on him… to him it’s case closed judgement given.
Ouch, I’ve been in this position have you? In being truthful I don’t know many children or adults, myself included, who like hearing no! No you can’t do that, no that’s not right, or I’ve said no and here’s the consequence.
Here’s a little parenting story.. our kids one day during lockdown were squabbling, revving up each other, speaking put downs, and it was doing my head in. After trying to speak to them collectively to control the calm and simply defuse the situation.
I changed tactics, put myself in time out and sought the Lord saying.. What punishment do I give my kids for being so mean and unkind? Valid question right? But did you see it? I only sought the Lord once I had tried the old and faithful ways that have worked in the past, and removed myself from being around them.
Yet what if I’d sought Him and paused in prayer in the moment to remain in the Room, would the situation have played out differently and love sooner be re-established? Yes I know so, for I would have responded out of wisdom and peace not frustration and irritation and affected the atmosphere of home.
If you’re wondering that’s not what happened as I’m still learning like us all, instead as I went upstairs I shouted ooh there’s a good punishment here just wait till I share it with you kids! Which ended up being no devices for them all for a week!! I’ll leave the rest of the story for you to unfold.
Yet God didn’t tell me the consequence, that was my soul, the flesh in me, which rose up loud and large saying ‘get them and make it good’. God was saying, love does, love believes the best, love listens, love is humble and love bends low to hear, Love goes after relationship, not being right… so are you loving them?
Now I didn’t bend, the decision stayed firm but Father God in His beautiful way, bent me my attitude, position of heart, words challenging me am I going after being right or relationship with them? And the what you going to do now?
I repented with the Lord first and then went to each child individually to seek forgiveness and received mercy from them as shared what lessons God taught me, and reconnected with them and their hearts, and supported them to reconnect with each other. This to me is But God in the real day to day we encounter, His continual invitation to slow down, to hear Him, follow Him and do as He says.
Challenge time: Grab your journal and be with God and record what He says.
1. God how am I going at Trusting in You?
2. God where are You inviting me to Trust in You, and not lean on my understanding?
3. God what is a picture of Trusting in You?
4. God how am I going with giving and showing Grace and Mercy to others?
5. Give thanks for He is worthy of all Praise and Honour.
Father God, thank You for Your never ending Grace and Mercy that You lavishly pour out on us, Your children. We are in awe that You never get tired offering invitations to us to see You and what You are doing from Your eyes. We say yes and give You all the Glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Paula Blackie. Author/Editor Encounter Ministries
