Conference yukon::christian_v7

743.0. ""God knew what he needed...." by PAULKM::WEISS (For I am determined to know nothing, except...) Tue Jun 06 1995 10:49

I couldn't think of an appropriate note to post this in, so I'm making a new
one.  We recently got the new Volume 4 of "Read Aloud Bible Stories" for kids.
One of the stories in it is "Jonah and the Big Fish."  It has a *great*
theological statement in it that I thought was wonderful.

It starts out with Jonah deciding not to do what God told him, and running away
and getting on a ship.  Then the story continues with:

"Now God knew what Jonah needed, so God sent a big wind to help him."

What an awesome perspective!  God knew what Jonah needed while he was in
rebellion, so He sent a storm *to help Jonah*!  We so often look at trials as
retribution and judgement.  But when Jonah was in rebellion, a storm was there
to *HELP* him turn back to God!

The story goes on, after Jonah is thrown overboard:

"Now God knew what Jonah needed, so God sent a big fish to help him."

And finally:

"Now Jonah was in the belly of the big fish at the bottom of the sea, and it
was all dark and smelly.  Did that help Jonah?  Yes, it did.  Jonah prayed to
God and said 'OK, God, I will do what you told me to do.'"

What a glorious perspective, brought to life in a children's story.  God brings
trials into our lives to *HELP* us turn to Him!

Paul

    
    That's lovely Paul.  Thanks for posting it.