Lost in Faith

Jonah4:6 Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.

Father this picture you give me is disturbing. My flesh doesn’t like that you might be the author of my pain. My mom while battling illness used to say to me NO pain, NO gain, but Know pain, Know gain. Some things are trite and true at the same time. But discomfort is the path to all greatness, spiritual growth notwithstanding.

I guess I could look at it as a capricious God who does as he wishes for no apparent reason or I could trust that you have Jonah’s best interest in mind when you send shade and then take it away. I see you trying to soften and shape Jonah’s heart. he despises the fact that the evil Ninevites get the same GRACE that he has experienced. Grace is held as a right and not a privilege. Maybe Jonah was never convinced of his own despicable waywardness.

Father, may I ever be profoundedly stunned by the simple fact that you love me! I don’t deserve it, I can’t earn it, it is a gift. Each day I can live as a child of God not for anything I have done but because of everything you have done.

Father, may I ever be found giving away what I have received. It is my only purpose in this life, the reflect the love that I have been transformed by. I see Jonah’s attitude and I hope that I am never guilty of it. Afflict me with a worm or worse if need be!