WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Don’t edit your emotions. The psalmists show us that total honesty with God is the best policy. Be honest with God now. First step: prayer Even after the most successful mission in history, Jonah is not satisfied because he still hasn’t resolved his underlying issues with God. At least this time he communicates his problem rather than ignoring God (v 2). Whatever our issue with God – doubt, anger, disappointment – prayer is the first step towards resolving it. Challenging expectations Jonah is uncomfortable with the God he serves (v 2). He wants a God of fixed boundaries, who punishes evil, who has favourites, who fits his expectations. God is too good to allow this, so he uses Jonah’s circumstances and even physical discomfort (vs 7,8) to challenge Jonah’s attitude (vs 4,9,11) and help Jonah grow in his understanding of and appreciation for God’s love and grace (v 11). Notice how patient and compassionate God is with Jonah (v 6), even when Jonah sulks (vs 3,5,8,9)! God won’t give up We don’t know whether Jonah remained self-absorbed (vs 3,8) or whether he began to see life from God’s perspective (v 11). We can be sure that the God who pursued Jonah to the ocean floor, who put up with Jonah’s anger, is a God who wants a relationship with us and will not give up on it. Respond: Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works through all situations for our good, so that we become more like Jesus. Consider your own trying circumstances. What is God saying to you through them? http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-02-16