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Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
Aug 7-12, 2023
Enter the Presence of the Lord
(All) Lord is good! For his steadfast love endures forever.
he satisfies the longing soul with good things
he brings them out of darkness and the shadow of death
he sends out his word and heals the sick,
he saved me when I was brought low
he delivered my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
(All) I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the name of the Lord.
For gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our Lord is merciful
(selections from Psalm 107, 116)
Adoration
The Lord of Good News, the life in our complexed world is not easy. But it is so comforting to know that you are always there to watch over your children. We have hope and we have help. We are not alone. Thank you, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Reading : Jonah
Jonah 2:10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
4:2b what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
4:6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.
4:11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Thoughts to share: What matters to God?
The book of Jonah is famous for its literature dramatic plots. It is unique in that the book is on a prophet’s experiences of serving the Lord. It is historical in that an Israel prophet Jonah was called to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria Empire for a specific mission. But it is also timeless in that it reveals the true heart of every servant of the Lord.
When we read the book of Jonah, we quickly find a few things intrigue and hard to escape from our eyes and our minds. First, Jonah, a Godly servant of God was reluctant to obey God’s plan first and he was not happy about God’s purpose second. In contrast, the people from King to the least in the city Nineveh were quick and serious to respond to God’s message via Jonah. Secondly, Jonah defined project goal as perish. But God defined the project goal as his own generous heart. Thirdly, Jonah was angry at God and the people of Nineveh. But God readily received and included Jonah and the people of Nineveh.
The story inspires us to ask a few theological questions- Who is the one in sovereignty and authority of Jonah’s call? How large is the heart of God? Who determines who can receive God’s forgiveness and grace? We see, God has plan and purpose in Jonah’s calling. He chose Jonah to carry it out. He supervises and supports the plan. He evaluates the result and changes the course. We also see, God’s heart is much larger and inclusive than Jonah’s. He loves the people who are different from Jonah, who are less better than Jonah. He loves bullies. He loves those who do not have ability to discern and choose. He is willing to give all the equal opportunities to hear his message and to experience his forgiveness and grace.
What was Jonah’s struggling? Jonah told the reason: I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah had really wished Nineveh destructed. But why did Jonah think that way? Maybe, it was his upbringing background. He came from the kingdom of Israel. He had been taught that he was the true Chosen one, above any other people. He will be deserved to receive God’s mercy and grace. But not others. Maybe, it was his national experiences. Israel had suffered the bully of Assyrians too often and too much. Maybe, it was his sense of justice. Assyrian empire was known for her might and cruelty. What good thing should such people deserve? Would it be good simply just let it perish? Maybe, it was Jonah’s frustration on the limited authority to the outcome. Maybe, it was Jonah’s character flaws. He was too rigid and no flexible. Maybe, it was his definition of success- who should get glorified? We do not know really. The book of Jonah leaves us a mystery about Jonah’s hesitation.
But in our serving God, did we encounter struggles too? Did we give a reflection on what and why we struggle in our most inner beings? Did we allow the height, width, depth, length of God’s heart flowing out through us? Did we see God’s big picture? Were we willing to give glory to God himself alone? How did we define ministry success? Where did our perceptions on an issue come from? Had we known ourselves good enough to eliminate our bias on a certain issue? Did we allow the highest supervisor to watch, exam, intervene our work in the process? Whom did we want to increase and whom did we want to decrease? Being the servants of God, we need to pause from busy ministry and works periodically to reflect and check these things.
In the ministry of God, it is not so much about you and me! It is all about God Himself- his heart, his goal, his way, and his own glory. As the Baptist John pointed out: He must be increased. I must be decreased. Jesus also taught his disciples: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and taken up his cross and follow me. After all, how much we put aside ourselves is how much we can see God, how much we can follow him, and how much we can give ourselves to others.
Prayer suggestions
Do an exam on our hearts in our services to the Lord. How much is our stuff in our services? How much is God himself in our services? What can we get rid of? What can we put in? What attribute of God do you experience mostly? Who gets glory finally in your honor list?
Sovereign Lord, sometimes we are so absorbed in ourselves- our views, our conveniences, our ways and means, our likes and dislikes, our judgements, our ambitions, our past, present and future. We lose the sight of you- your heart, your ways, your goals, your big picture. We truly need to be transformed by your grace and power. We submit our self to you now. Come into our beings. We ask you to do your work in us and change us to become a vessel that you can use. We can see as you see. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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