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For many people, the story of Jonah is associated with a huge fish. Jonah ran from the Lord, who called him to preach to Ninevah, and took a ship to Tarshish. When he realised that his disobedience was the cause of a storm that threatened the ship, he urged the sailors to save themselves by throwing him overboard. When they eventually did, “the Lord provided a huge fish” (1.17) to save Jonah and give him time to reflect. Jonah did reflect, and decided to go to Ninevah after all.

The fish is a remarkable part of the story, but there was another creature which God provided in order to help Jonah reflect - a little worm. The people of Ninevah listened to Jonah’s message of coming judgement. They turned from their evil ways and called on the Lord, and He had mercy on them. Jonah was angry about this. He wanted judgement, not mercy for these scary, powerful neighbours of Israel. 

As he watched the city of Ninevah from a distance, the Lord provided a plant which shaded Jonah's head. He was happy about this. But then the Lord provided a worm which ate the plant, and once again, Jonah was angry.

What kind of things in life cause you to be angry? If I examine myself over the past week about what has irritated me, or stirred my indignation a lot of it has to do with inconvenience, discomfort or not getting my own way. This is like Jonah getting upset about the worm eating his leafy shade. Jonah learned his lesson about running away from the Lord because of the big fish. What lesson did the Lord want him to learn through the worm?

The Lord wanted Jonah to share his heart for those who didn't know Him. Jonah was concerned about the plant for the sake of his own comfort and convenience. The Lord was concerned about the people of Nineveh, because they did not know Him or His ways.

Let us ask ourselves what the Lord asked Jonah when we get upset, “Is it right for you to be angry?” (4.4). Let us use these moments of selfish anger to be reminded of God’s heart for others, that we might share His concern for them.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Psalms 104:1-7 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; You lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariot; You ride upon the wings of the wind.

  • Lord, that our hearts would lift in praise and worship to You, the One and only God almighty, full of grace and truth and whose ways are perfect. •
  • Lord, we bring to You those we are we are aware of who are in particular need right now.
  • May we, your children, reflect your character and demonstrate your love one for the other.