Dear Friends,

I referenced this quote in today’s video, and I want to talk about a man you are probably familiar with:  Jonah.  Jonah had a very clear work that God gave him to do.  He was to travel to Ninevah to preach the message of repentance and God’s judgment to the people there.  

We all know the story…Jonah and the fish, Jonah being vomited up by the fish (not a pretty image), the people of Ninevah repenting while Jonah goes off to pout under a vine that God creates as an object lesson for His erstwhile prophet.  It’s a gripping Sunday School story, full of bold images and strong messages.

The last time I read Jonah, though, I noticed this verse for the first time: “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.  But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You.  What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the Lord.” (Jonah 2:8-9, NIV)  Jonah makes this statement from the belly of the whale; prior to being released back onto shore to finish the work God gave him to do.

Here is what I find interesting, and what I think relates to our topic of completing work God has for us:  Jonah knew that grace in our work only comes from following God and doing what He has purposed for us to do.  Jonah purposed to walk in God’s grace by walking in God’s plan.  However, as he shared God’s salvation with the people of Ninevah, he lost his understanding of God’s grace because he elevated his own desires (Ninevah’s destruction) over God’s plans (Ninevah’s salvation).

As we follow God and follow the path He has planned for us, we must always be on guard against forfeiting our knowledge of God’s grace by elevating ourselves…our plans, our desires, our heart, our purposes…above Him…His plans, His desires, His heart, and His purposes.  We must guard against starting out following God’s plan and ending up “being successful at the wrong thing.”

May you walk in the grace of God today as you do the work that He has set out for you to do.

Blessings, 

Ron