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 Lord
gives and takes away. Blessed be the Lord. (RBC)
