God’s mercy: sovereign over all

Jonah 1:1-16 NIV.

I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year!

Have you ever had one of those sat-nav situations where, no matter how far you drive in the wrong direction, it keeps rerouting? It will just keep saying, “Make a U-turn, make a U-turn…” That’s the story of Jonah.

God tells Jonah to go north-east to Nineveh, but Jonah heads west, to Joppa. And the book of Jonah shows us something remarkable: God’s primary response to people heading the wrong direction is not abandonment, but mercy. Like that sat-nav, God keeps pursuing, rerouting, and calling us back. Jonah takes us on a journey into the nature of God’s mercy.

In the passage, Jonah refuses to be sent, so God demonstrates the sovereignty of His mercy by sending the unexpected.

God sent a great wind:

Jonah ran away from God’s Presence to seek refuge at sea: a Biblical imagery of chaos and hostility to God (Gen 1:2; Job 26:12). But nothing is beyond God’s rule; He is the only Sovereign who commands all things (v9, Ps 24:1, 89:8-9). So God sends a great wind to the sea. What would God use the great wind to do? At first glance, it troubles the sea, but there’s more.

And sailors got saved:

As the storm rages, Jonah explains that the true God is the Lord of heaven, who made the sea and the land. Yet Jonah himself would still rather face death than obey God’s call. The sailors, however, respond very differently. Hearing of this sovereign God, they abandoned their idols and sought God’s forgiveness. They had a true change in direction and were saved.

God shows that His mercy is sovereign over all, using unexpected ways to reach the idolatrous sailors. A mercy that always reroutes and aligns us with God.

Reflect & Pray

How have you seen God’s mercy meet you in unexpected ways? Where might God be inviting you to change direction this year?

Thank you, Father, that Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Help us always extend that mercy to others this year, in Jesus’ name, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 ESV.

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