--GOD USES
THE GOOD AND
THE BAD ~~

-Jonah 4
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The LORD God
prepared a plant
[for] shade...[and]
a worm, and it so
damaged the plant
that it withered. -
--Jonah 4:6-7
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THE story of the rebellious prophet Jonah shows us how God desires to use both blessings and trials to challenge us and change us for the better. Five times in the book of Jonah it says that 'the Lord prepared' circumstances for him--both good and bad.

In Jonah 1:4 we read that the Lord sent a storm. It says, He "sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea." After the mariners discovered that Jonah was the reason for this storm they threw him overboard (1:15). Then God "prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah" to save him from drowning (1:17).

Later in the book we read that "the LORD God prepared a plant" to shade Jonah (4:6). Then we see that God prepared a worm to kill the vine as well as a scorching wind and sun to beat down upon him (4:7-9). These circumstances were used to reveal Jonah's rebellious attitude. Only after that revelation could God directly confront Jonah's heart problem

As we face different situations, we should remember that Gos is sovereign over both the blessings and the troubles that come our way. He desires to use everything to build our character (James 1:1-5). He uses both good and bad to transform us and guide us on our journey.
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-THE LORD GIVES AND THE LORD TAKES AWAY. BLESSED BE THE LORD!

--ODB/DF =/ On My Knees / Jaci Velasquez
<http://youtu.be/fx10drNM3gc>