Honoring God

Having recently finished a series of sermons in Jonah, I have been reflecting on Jonah's responses to God when he was commissioned (twice) to go and proclaim God's message to the wicked Ninevites. Jonah was unsettled in this commission because his initial calling as a prophet was to proclaim God's truth to his people, the nation of Israel, the people of God (2 Kings 14:24-27). Now God was sending him as the first missionary to the Gentiles. Jonah's responses, first in running from God in chapter 1, then in resenting God in chapter 4, reveal his heart. Jonah demonstrates that he was willing to serve God only while he was comfortable. Even when he was obedient to God, it appears that Jonah served God begrudgingly to avoid God's divine discipline. In chapter 4, God provides a plant to shade Jonah as he sat on a hill above Nineveh in the blazing sun. The plant was given so that Jonah might recognize God's goodness and compassion and repent of his anger towards God. While Jonah was happy with God's provision, he was not repentant. He continued in his obstinate way. After God sends a worm and an even hotter wind, Jonah reveals his heart, "I have a good reason to be angry, even to death" (4:9). Jonah is an example of a man that was all to willing to honor God in order to be comfortable.

Contrast Jonah's response with those of Joseph and Job when they faced trials in their lives. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and endured the trials of the pit, Potiphar's wife, and prison. He is rewarded for his obedience with a seat in the palace. Joseph's testimony at the end of the day when meeting his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about this present result." And what was that result? "To preserve many people alive" (Gen. 50:20). Joseph's trials were given to preserve God's covenant with His people. In other words, Joseph's trials were all part of God's sovereign plan for His people. And Joseph honored God throughout.

Then there was Job. Job suffered by the hand of Satan. He lost his health, his farm, his fame, his fortune, and his family. We read in Job 2:9, "Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!'" Job's response, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (2:10). Job did not question God's sovereignty in the matter. While his actions that follow show his intense struggle, when all was said and done, God's purpose in bringing Job to see Him in all of His glory was accomplished. Job was blessed by God.

The stories of these men serve to humble us in our relationship with God. Like Jonah, we often are more than willing to honor God when all is going according to our schedules. We often look at material prosperity and creaturely comforts as indication that we are truly serving God. Jonah saw the plant as evidence of God's blessing. And it was - but to drive him to acknowledge his sinfulness. Jonah failed to do so, and experienced God's divine discipline. Conversely, both Joseph and Job honored God in the midst of their trials. Unlike Jonah, who honored God only with his lips, they honored God with their lips and their hearts.

The lesson for us is clear. When we are in the midst of trials, we should seek to learn what God is trying to teach us in the trial. We should focus on Him and seek to learn His purpose not only in our lives but in others as well. In our comfort, we should acknowledge God as well, admitting that we depend on Him for all things and thank Him for His blessings. We must also acknowledge that just because we are living comfortably is no guarantee that we are truly living for Him.

How are you honoring God today? Are you honoring Him for your own benefit, like Jonah, or are you honoring Him because He is God? To honor Him for His glory is to honor Him with your lips and with your heart.