Then Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made himself a booth, and sat under it in the shade, until he might see what would become of the city. Yahweh God prepared a vine, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine. But God prepared a worm at dawn the next day, and it chewed on the vine, so that it withered. When the sun arose, God prepared a sultry east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he fainted, and requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is better for me to die than to live." Jonah 4:5-8 WEB.A mighty prophet of God a few days before, Jonah now sat in the blazing heat and wished that he was dead. He actually prayed to die. Jonah had been through a long journey to get to Nineveh and even spent a couple of nights in a custom-made fish hotel. Now, Jonah was so angry that God had spared the city he had prophesied the destruction of that he sulked in anger.
Jonah could have been glad that over 120,000 people had repented at his preaching, and they had turned to the Lord in prayer and fasting. His preaching had sparked one of the greatest revivals of all time, but Jonah was not happy about it.
Jonah was unconcerned about the death of 120,000 others. What concerned Jonah the most was the blazing sun on his head, and the plant which had been providing shade for him had died. Jonah was upset over a small plant's death but was angry at God for showing mercy and sparing an entire city.
Every parent knows that your children need to be disciplined at some point, for when left to themselves, they rarely turn out well. And when discipline becomes necessary, it is the parents' job to provide it. So God provided everything that Jonah needed to have the right outlook on the situation.
While Jonah sat there and pouted, God provided blazing heat from the sun and a scorching east wind to blow on the prophet's head. Then a plant grew up to give him cool shade. But the next day, the Lord provided a worm to eat the plant so that it died. After all of this and Jonah's ensuing temper tantrum, the Lord spoke to Jonah once again. Would God bring an attitude adjustment like that? Apparently so, and without ever being seen.
Our Heavenly Father will also provide everything that we require to maintain a proper attitude. Sometimes that involves withholding something we think that we need. Or something else comes along we don't think we need.
God loves you, and He wants you to grow and fulfill the plans that He has for you. Therefore, He will not leave you to grow like a weed (Hebrews 12:6) but will provide whatever it takes along the way to fulfill your destiny. He loves us and only desires the best for our lives, but when you submit your life to Him, He can be relentless in bringing that to pass.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You today. Let me learn lessons quickly and not be stubborn and unchanging. May Your perfect will be done in my life. Please give me the grace to accept change and help me keep a positive attitude today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link:
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In Jesus name I ask this,Amen.
Thank you Jesus for loving us. Amen
Praying for your son, David! God bless your family with good health. Amen.
Thank you,God bless you.
Amen. Heavenly Father, Thank You for being in my life. I could not do this without You. Amen
Amen Father I Thank You for Your Blessings
God Bless everyone . a good day to praise God .!
Have a bless day
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen!!
Your will be done, Father. Amen!
Lord, please give me the grace to accept change and keep a positive attitude today. Thank you! Amen
God help me to grow in my Christian faith. Open my mind and let me absorb your word
In jesus name amen
Amen.
This, once again, is so timely. I was just praying for motivation and encouragement to move out of my house (closing - I.e., selling - tomorrow) and kind of sad about it. Just 4 years ago I moved in and spent my best days (so far) and best years of my life in quiet solitude on 2 acres with my 4 dogs, then 3 dogs, now 2 dogs. Very sad. But maybe not so sad any more.
Thank you, Lord, for this Word from You.
Amen.
Heavenly Father teach me to understand Your will for me, I know that sometimes I am stubborn and try to do things on my own without consulting You. Help me to get Your grace to accept the changes You are making in my life with a good attitude, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. Lord help me, I need You, Amen.
Excellent devotional reminder Pastor, thanks to you and Sylvia. God bless you both, Amen.
Amen Heavenly Father help me to see you and hear your voice show me your will for my life and give me the health to complete it and I believe with all my heart it will come to pass in Jesus'name I pray amen
Amen
Amen!
Yes Lord, amen
Yes, Lord, Amen!
Amen!