The Storm That Saves
In Jonah 1, God calls the prophet to preach repentance to the wicked people of Nineveh. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs in the opposite direction—away from God's will and into a storm. What looks like chaos is actually divine intervention. Jonah’s resistance wasn’t just about fear; it was rooted in a struggle to accept God’s character. He admits it later: “I knew you were merciful...That’s why I ran” (Jonah 4:2). Jonah wanted a God on his terms, not a God who shows mercy even to people he disliked.
But God doesn’t bend to our expectations. He doesn’t conform to our preferences. Accepting Christ means embracing who He is, even when we don’t fully understand Him.
And yet, even in Jonah’s rebellion, God was working. It redirected him toward obedience, reminded him who’s in control, and ultimately led to repentance—not just from Nineveh, but from Jonah himself.
Jonah was a reluctant prophet. But I love this truth, that Jesus is the greater Jonah, who entered the storm willingly. He spent three days in the tomb so we could be brought into safety. Jesus didn’t run from the hard thing. He embraced it for us. Jesus accepted the will of His Father when He knew it would bring pain and suffering. Because of His willingness, we have eternity to look forward to and peace to walk in today.
Reflect:
We must ask ourselves where have we resisted God's character in our lives?
What storm may God be using to redirect us back to His will?
Are there parts of God’s character you’ve resisted because they challenge your own expectations?
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us enough to chase us down, even in our resistance. Thank You for storms that redirect and mercy that surprises us. Help us to trust who You are, not just the parts we understand or prefer, but all of You. Soften our hearts where we’ve resisted. Redirect our paths where we’ve strayed. May we be willing, like Jesus, to embrace Your will, even when it’s hard. And may our lives reflect the kind of obedience that comes from knowing You are always good. Amen.
But God doesn’t bend to our expectations. He doesn’t conform to our preferences. Accepting Christ means embracing who He is, even when we don’t fully understand Him.
And yet, even in Jonah’s rebellion, God was working. It redirected him toward obedience, reminded him who’s in control, and ultimately led to repentance—not just from Nineveh, but from Jonah himself.
Jonah was a reluctant prophet. But I love this truth, that Jesus is the greater Jonah, who entered the storm willingly. He spent three days in the tomb so we could be brought into safety. Jesus didn’t run from the hard thing. He embraced it for us. Jesus accepted the will of His Father when He knew it would bring pain and suffering. Because of His willingness, we have eternity to look forward to and peace to walk in today.
Reflect:
We must ask ourselves where have we resisted God's character in our lives?
What storm may God be using to redirect us back to His will?
Are there parts of God’s character you’ve resisted because they challenge your own expectations?
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us enough to chase us down, even in our resistance. Thank You for storms that redirect and mercy that surprises us. Help us to trust who You are, not just the parts we understand or prefer, but all of You. Soften our hearts where we’ve resisted. Redirect our paths where we’ve strayed. May we be willing, like Jesus, to embrace Your will, even when it’s hard. And may our lives reflect the kind of obedience that comes from knowing You are always good. Amen.
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments