Thy Will Be Done - Rev Isaac Tan

𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲.

In Jonah 3:10–4:11, Jonah's actions and speech are exactly what we should avoid. However, we can learn a lot from this book.

Firstly, Jonah had misplaced anger. He became angry because God showed mercy to Nineveh. He wanted the city to be destroyed because, to him, Nineveh was not worth saving. His unwillingness and anger reveal that his heart needed work. We don't get to choose who God shows mercy to. Justice came upon the cross of Christ, where Jesus paid the price and the wrath of God was satisfied. When we think of missions, we need to remember that we need the gospel just as much as those who have not heard it.

Secondly, Jonah had misplaced focus. He focused on a plant that he did not even plant, and when the plant died and the heat came, Jonah was ready to give up his life. God redirected Jonah's focus away from the plant, the heat, and death, towards Himself — the One who gave the plant, who was able to save the city, and whose heart was for His prophet.

The book of Jonah is about Jonah not choosing God and running away from Him. In our own decisions, before we think about option A or B, we need to choose option C — Christ. We need to choose Christ first.

Finally, we see magnificent grace. Throughout the entire book of Jonah, God's magnificent grace is on display. From the moment God called Jonah to Nineveh, we see His heart for the lost. From the moment Jonah disobeyed, we see His heart pursuing His prophet. He is far more able to turn the city to Himself than any of us. God's heart for the lost is infinitely bigger than all our hearts combined.