June 6 | Jonah 4:7-8

“But God appointed a worm when dawn arose the next day and it struck down the plant and it withered. And it happened when the sun rose that God appointed a scorching east wind and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head and he became faint. So he asked that his soul might die and said, “It is better for me to die than for me to live.”” (Jonah 4:7–8)

You often see disrespectful teenagers on crazy, over dramatized TV shows. Maybe you see it in your own home. But some teenagers think they are smarter and better than their parents. They boss them around like they rule the roost. They need to remember their place.

Jonah acted like a privileged teenager, throwing his temper tantrum outside of Nineveh. He’s upset God chose to send his grace instead of wrath. Jonah sat outside the city for an entire day in anger.

The next morning God had enough. He sent a worm to destroy the plant he gave Jonah in comforting grace and understanding the previous day. But Jonah’s temper tantrum went on long enough. Jonah’s vision is so small he is still angry about a plant instead of an entire city of people who need God.

Maybe this is a reason God calls us his children. We want him to move our way and do things the way and time we think they should be done. But that’s not how it works. God is sovereign, taking into account what we want to do, but ultimately deciding the best for us. He sees more and farther than we do.

Action Step: Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you need. But learn to accept his answers of, “No,” or “Not now.”

Heavenly Father, thank you that you hear me when I cry out to you. You truly listen to my point of view. But you know better than I do and I would rather have your promises and will then my own. Not my will, but yours be done.