Experiencing God - Day 29
Day 29 - Thursday, March 14
Read Jonah 3
Highlight
What a contrast we see here between Jonah’s response to the call of God and Nineveh's response to His justice. Jonah, the Israelite, who knew God’s law and has grown up hearing the stories of His mighty works and faithfulness, fails to submit to the Lord. Nineveh, a pagan nation, who doesn’t even know what god Jonah is serving, immediately responds with humility and repentance. Jonah doesn’t give them much to work with, but the King and people of Nineveh in faith immediately acknowledge their wickedness and turn from their ways. Even the animals are made to express the grief of their sin!
If we’ve lived far from God it doesn’t take much to reveal our need for Him. Light changes everything when it enters a dark place. Many of us are tempted to try to ‘clean ourselves up’ for God, but here the Lord shows us the kind of repentance that moves His heart. When faced with the truth about their sin Nineveh chooses to lay itself bare before the Lord. In Tim Keller’s reflection on this kind of repentant vulnerability he said, “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” The people of Nineveh take the leap and appeal to the undeserved kindness and mercy of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Jonah 3
Highlight
What a contrast we see here between Jonah’s response to the call of God and Nineveh's response to His justice. Jonah, the Israelite, who knew God’s law and has grown up hearing the stories of His mighty works and faithfulness, fails to submit to the Lord. Nineveh, a pagan nation, who doesn’t even know what god Jonah is serving, immediately responds with humility and repentance. Jonah doesn’t give them much to work with, but the King and people of Nineveh in faith immediately acknowledge their wickedness and turn from their ways. Even the animals are made to express the grief of their sin!
If we’ve lived far from God it doesn’t take much to reveal our need for Him. Light changes everything when it enters a dark place. Many of us are tempted to try to ‘clean ourselves up’ for God, but here the Lord shows us the kind of repentance that moves His heart. When faced with the truth about their sin Nineveh chooses to lay itself bare before the Lord. In Tim Keller’s reflection on this kind of repentant vulnerability he said, “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” The people of Nineveh take the leap and appeal to the undeserved kindness and mercy of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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