Mission Devotional Day 11
I knew that you were a gracious God
Mission Devotional Day 11
READ: Jonah 1-4
In the brief book of Jonah, we read the story of a reluctant prophet. God appointed Jonah to call the people of Nineveh to repent, but Jonah runs in the other direction. It becomes clear that God loves the Ninevites much more than Jonah does.
The concerns explored in this powerful tale are not the concerns of the usual missionary story. The focus is on Jonah’s heart. One might even say that the emphasis of the story is not upon the conversion of Nineveh but the possible conversion of Jonah. Will he continue to try to defy God’s plan, or will Jonah (who represents Israel in this story) accept his responsibility to proclaim God’s grace wherever God sends him?
There are lots of historical and cultural reasons for Jonah not to preach to the Ninevites. Perhaps the only reason for Jonah to preach to them is that God told him to.
There is the tendency on all our parts to imagine and act as though recipients of God’s grace should be like us, should look like us. Jonah understands the gracious character of God, but his prejudice stands in the way of his obedience.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Can you think of an example in your own life when you perceived that God was calling you to express his concern for someone whom you would rather not care for?
When the people and the king respond to Jonah’s preaching with repentance, he tells God that he knew this was going to happen. The story of Jonah concludes with God’s reproof of the reluctant prophet. Do you think that Jonah had a change of heart?
PRAYER
Lord, I confess that there are people with whom I struggle and who I assume are beyond the reach of your grace. Soften my heart and stir my understanding of your deep love so that I might be open to going to whomever you would send me. Amen.