Sun.’s Devo - Jonah -

Read: Jonah 1:1-4:11; Revelation 5:1-14; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 29:26-27 Today we read the whole book of Jonah and learn much about God’s character versus man’s character. Jonah knew God enough to know that if he went to Nineveh and told the people God was about to destroy them, then they might repent. If they did, God would forgive them and wouldn’t destroy them. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians who had been Israel’s enemy. They were know for their evil savagery. *** Jonah thought that he could run from the Lord and change God’s plans, but he was no match for the Lord. There was no where Jonah could hide from the Lord. Because God is love and wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of who he is, God was able to use Jonah’s rebellion to save the hearts of the sailors on the boat. *** Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days just like Jesus was in the depths of the grave for 3 days. They both resurrected to walk on the earth to proclaim God’s coming judgment and his mercy. *** Jonah’s prophecy did come true 200 years later when God destroyed Nineveh, but at this time, they repented. *** God used the vine to reveal Jonah’s heart to him so he could repent, also. God was just as interested in changing Jonah’s heart than he was the whole city of heathens. *** God has showed his love and concern for Gentiles all through the Bible and the story of Jonah is a big example of this. God’s heart is for the whole world. *** In Revelation, John was taken to the throne of God who was holding a scroll that was sealed with 7 seals. He asked who was worthy to open the scroll. No one was so John began to weep. One of the 24 elders told John to stop crying because there was one who was worthy. When John looked, it was a lamb that the elder was talking about. The lamb looked as if it had been slaughtered and it was standing among them. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes and represented the sevenfold Spirit of God that was sent out to every part of the earth. The lamb stepped up and took the scroll while the four living beings and the elders fell down in worship. They were all holding golden bowls of incense which were the prayers of the people. They proclaimed that the lamb had made it possible for us to be God’s Kingdom of priests who will reign on the earth. *** They were joined with all the millions of angels in heaven singing praises to the lamb. Then the creatures in heaven and earth joined them in praises to the lamb. The four living creatures said, “Amen” and fell and worshipped with them. *** Lord, may we be quick to obey you, even when we don’t agree. May we lay down our lives for your better plan for the world. May we see the big picture instead of being short-sighted into just seeing how it affects us in our little world. May we rule and reign on the earth as your ambassadors, doing your will.