A Change In Plans - Jonah

When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.

Jonah 3:10–4:1

Some men have an innate need to plan out everything ahead of time. They need to map out every moment of their workdays, their weekends, and even their vacations to the very last detail. Any deviation from their plans throws their world into chaos.

The Bible recognizes the value of planning; it also includes blessings for those who learn a little flexibility as they follow and serve God.

Jonah disliked God’s command to warn Nineveh of its coming destruction, and he became downright angry when God spared the city after the Ninevites heard Jonah’s preaching and repented. That wasn’t part of Jonah’s plan!

“Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD?” Jonah complained. “That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people” (Jonah 4:2).

Jonah hated the Ninevites and really wanted God to kill them all, thereby snuffing out a very real threat to Jonah’s own people, the Israelites. When God spared the city, he deviated from what Jonah saw as the perfect plan.

In the end, God posed this question to his unhappy prophet: “Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:11).

The question bears a clear message: Jonah was God’s servant, not his advisor. God had instructed Jonah to obey, preach, and leave the results up to the Lord of perfect knowledge, love, and compassion.

Though you can choose to faithfully obey God, you don’t often get to choose what he’ll do with your acts of obedience. You will be more happy and peaceful when you simply do what God tells you to do and leave the results to him.