She Abides

GOD IS SO GOOD!! The fact that He even used Jonah’s disobedience to bring people closer to Him amazes me! He can truly use anyone and anything.

In Jonah chapter 1, God told Jonah to go preach to the people in Ninevah (verses 1-2). After hearing this, Jonah fled and tried to run away from the Lord (verse 3). It is so beautiful and powerful that despite being disobedient to Him, God used Jonah’s disobedience to reveal Himself to unbelievers. Initially, all the people in the boat with Jonah began praying to their own gods when the Lord sent strong winds and a violent storm. But when they realised how powerful and mighty the Lord our God is, they made vows to Him and gave Him sacrifices (verses 3-16).

I can’t help but wonder that if Jonah did what the Lord told him to do immediately, would those sailors in the boat know or would have met God the way they did. This is not to promote disobedience, but rather it shows us the power and omnipotence of Jesus. He has no limits and can do anything. Jesus not only brought Ninevah to repentance, but the sailors on that boat with Jonah.

Same thing with King Xerxes. Xerxes seemed to be a lustful man who wanted his first queen Vashit to display herself in most likely an immodest way before others during the banquet (Esther 1:10-11). His initial hunt for a new queen was based solely on a woman’s physical appearance.

God used this man’s fleshly desires to place Esther in the right place at the right time. He anointed her so that she may find favour in the eyes of others and King Xerxes (Esther 2:15-17). Through this, God was able to save His people, the Jews, from Hamman’s wicked schemes by using Esther and Mordecai.

P.S: I love how Jesus isn’t mentioned once in the book of Esther, yet His presence is so undeniable and obvious.

God doesn’t need perfect people to accomplish His perfect plans. He is more than enough. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26