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