Unfair GraceSample

Today we are going to look at how God never gives up on us. Despite his disobedience and running away, God did not substitute Jonah for another prophet. The beauty of it is that God actually overtakes us and goes before us to grant us gracious cues to come back to Him! It is evident in the book of Jonah that this prophet was least bothered with what God wanted, however, God still used him to accomplish His purposes. In today’s passage we see how in Jonah’s disobedience, God still used him to bring a whole boatful of unbelieving sailors to the knowledge of the LORD. They acknowledged Him, prayed to Him, and made vows to Him (V16).

When Jonah ran, God sent the sailors. When Jonah got into the boat, God sent the storms. When Jonah asked to be thrown into the sea, God sent the fish. At each moment, we saw God going ahead and giving Jonah a cue to come back to Him. Time and again we are shown how God provided ways for Jonah to turn around, to come back to Him, to accomplish the purpose that God had for him.

Similarly, for us, are we aware of these cues God may be giving us if we have gone astray? Are we sure we’re living for the purposes that God has for us? Are we being faithful to what God has called us? We must not judge our relationship with God based on the outcome or fruit of the ministry because, even in our disobedience, God will accomplish his purposes as in the case of the sailors.

Are we living our lives with a “maxed out” potential on God? Or are we just scraping by? Are we living on the purposes and promises that He has for each of us? God has specifically called and has a purpose for each of us here. Do we know what that is? Are we earnestly seeking God’s will in our lives? Are we living our lives to the maximum potential that God wants for us?