Wednesday, August 17, 2022

August 17, 2022/ in Week 2, Bible Study

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If you had the opportunity to sit across from Jesus at a table, what would you ask him?

Would you ask him why he sent you to your job, or why this is your family or significant other/spouse? Would you ask why you were made this way, for this reason, at this time?

Or would you talk to him about how things in life could have been good but seem unfair. Would you tell him, “What’s the purpose? I’ll just do it on my own!”?

Is it fair to question why Jesus does what he does when he is God? It’s easy to wonder if he would respond with condemnation or with mercy and grace.

Jonah 2:3-4

3 “You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. 4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’”

God wants us to enter into a relationship with him—to go on the life-changing adventure with him. But you can’t experience it if you tell God, “Nah, I’m good,” and go in the opposite direction when he calls you to action, like Jonah did.

Even though Jonah was disobedient, God chose to extend mercy and grace to him instead of condemnation. Rather than cutting Jonah off, God corrected him and pointed him back to his purpose. In the middle of Jonah’s “time-out,” he was reminded of God’s presence—he finally accepted that an adventure with God was better than one on his own.

God desires correction not condemnation is the second truth Jonah learned from within the fish.

Romans 8:1

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

This same truth applies to you today. During the ups and downs of your life-changing adventure with God, it’s his desire to help you grow more like his son Jesus (Romans 8:29). You were made to reflect God; he has a purpose and plan for your life, even when it doesn’t seem fair. So you can be confident—you can step out in faith and follow God instead of saying, “Nah, I’m good.”

And if you get lost along the way, God, in all his mercy, will always extend his grace, correct your course, and welcome you back.

Questions:

Do you know what God’s mercy and grace are?

Has it been difficult for you to trust God and step into your life-changing adventure with him?

Next Steps:

Check out the difference between mercy and grace. Think of a time when you experienced God’s mercy and grace.

Journal to reflect on how God has made you like him.

Read the second chapter of Jonah and reflect on the truth that God desires correction not condemnation.

21 days of Prayer

Day 10 – Focus – Marriages and Family (Psalm 128:3-4)

Dear God, today I lift up the marriages and families in our communities. I pray your spirit would strengthen our marriages and families. Please give a supernatural love and grace to spouses as they interact during these stressful times. You know exactly what each marriage needs, and I pray you would meet those needs. Allow our families to grow stronger during this time. Help parents represent you well to their children and help children have a heart that grows in its love for you. I pray marriages and families would come out of this season stronger and closer to you. Amen.

Today’s Parent Prayer