The Bigger Picture The story of Jonah – God is in Control

God said to Jonah, “Go and preach against the great city of Nineveh because its wickedness has come before me.” But Johan decided not to do this, instead he boarded a ship to the opposite direction to flee from God.

God then sent a great storm which threatened to destroy the ship. Each of the sailors cried out to their gods for help. They even threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship but Jonah was in a deep a sleep in the back of the boat. He was not alarmed by the circumstances.

The sailors woke him up and said, “How can you sleep when we are about to drown! Pray to your god and ask for us to be saved.” Then the sailors said to each other let’s throw lots to decide who is responsible for this disaster. They threw lots and it fell on Jonah.

The sailors asked Jonah, “Who are you and what have you done?”  Jonah replied, I am a Hebrew and I worship the God of Heaven, who made everything. I am running away from God. This is all happening to you because of me.” At hearing this, the sailors became fearful.

The storm became fiercer. So the sailors said to Jonah, “What do we have to do for the sea to calm down? Jonah replied, “Throw me overboard and the sea will calm down.” The sailors tried their best to keep Jonah on the ship by rowing against the storm but their lives were being threatened by it.

So the sailors threw Jonah overboard and he was swallowed by a whale. God had ordered the whale to swallow him. Jonah stayed in the whale’s belly for three days. After the three days the whale vomited Jonah out of its mouth on to dry land. Second time round Jonah obeyed God and went to the great city of Nineveh.

This story teaches us that even when we go our own way in life. God is still in control. God sees the bigger picture. We often only see the smaller picture. God’s aim is always to bring us back into a relationship with himself.  God has a greater plan for our lives than we have for our own lives. He will bring that plan into fruition even if we decide to go our own way.
Jonah had great confidence in God. In the boat he was in a deep sleep and not alarmed by the circumstances because he knew that God would still take care of him.  We too can put our confidence in the God of Jonah

.Prayer
Dear God,
I believe you are the God of heaven
You have made everything.
I put my confidence in you
Even when I go my own way
And my circumstances are of my own making
You are still in control of my life
I thank you
That you see the bigger picture
Please fulfil your plans for my life
Please bring me into
A right relationship with you.
I ask this in Jesus name.
Amen.

By Harbajan (servant of Jesus) 02/03/2016