Jonah 1:1-2 Jonah Proves Otherwise

1:1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

When the word of the Lord came to Jonah, it was specific. Jonah knew exactly where to go, knew exactly what to do, and knew exactly why. How many times have we longed for such specific directions from God? If only we knew exactly what God wanted for: where to live, who to marry, what kind of career. The list could go on and on. But a word of caution. We have to be careful of thinking that if only we knew exactly what God wanted, we would surely do it: Jonah proves otherwise.

When the word of the Lord came to Jonah, it also came with a reason. The people of Nineveh were wicked in God's sight. There have been many times in the Bible where God's patience with a wicked people reaches its end and it results in destruction in one form or another. The reason for the destruction of Nineveh was their sin. How many times have we longed to know the reason that God did something? We must be careful of thinking that if only we knew the reason, then our hearts would be settled and accept what God is doing. Jonah proves otherwise.

Are you longing for some specific direction from God? What was the last clear thing He directed you in? Did you do it? Are you willing to trust when God's reason for His actions isn't revealed to you? What if His reason is not what you want to hear?