November 19

Caregiving can be an isolating experience. Moments of doubt creep in when we have no one around to encourage us to stay rooted in the Word of God or to pray. Add in a dash of frustration, a pinch of exhaustion, and it is a recipe to wonder if we are beyond the compassionate care of God.

I don’t know a lot of people that give the book of Jonah much consideration after they have left the children’s Sunday school classroom. I am here to tell you that it is a beautiful story of compassion. The first sign of this is when the LORD told Jonah to prophesy to the people of Nineveh, a pagan culture that was known for its evil ways. The opportunity to repent before destruction is compassionate indeed and shows that he “desires that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

But what amazed me more was God’s endless compassion on Jonah. After being told to take God’s message to Nineveh he fled in the opposite direction! And when that willful act of disobedience caused him to be swallowed by the great fish, did Jonah say, “God doesn’t care about me?” No, he knew he could still call out for help and instead said, “Salvation belongs to the LORD!”

Whether you have found yourself in a situation of your own making or not, God will listen to your prayers. Reach out to the God who turned Jonah around and gave him another opportunity to fulfill his calling. Trust in the Lord who graciously provided a plant for shade when Jonah did as he was instructed but was still angry about it. Take the Psalms as an example that it is ok to tell God about your distress, fear, or anger just as easily as you can call out to God with thanksgiving, joy, and praise.

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, I am thankful that you show compassion when I don’t deserve it. I long to be closer to you and repent of any disobedience that has taken me further from your plan for my life. Help me to be faithful in doing what you tell me to do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.