Devotion 4: Vessels Of God's Power

Katie Pettibone

“Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it.” Jonah 3:4-5, 10

As we move further into the book of Jonah, we see the power that is within God's message by witnessing how quickly Nineveh repented of their ways and turned to God. God has the power to transform a whole city's heart into one that glorifies His will. We see this when Jonah, finally, makes his way into the city God has called him to be. Now that Jonah is listening to God's will, God is able to use him to save the people of Nineveh.

While reading Jonah, it is easy to look at him and say, “Man, what are you doing? God is calling you to save a whole city! Why are you running?” But I think that we forget that even though Jonah was a prophet, he was also a human—just like you and me. You see, Jonah faced this reality that God was calling him into a scary situation and he let his fear overcome him. I cannot tell you how many times I have done the same thing, where I was afraid to do the will of the Lord, fully knowing how powerful it is, and ultimately it pushed me away from doing the good work He has called all His followers to do.

I think we can all be reminded by this story that God's plans are accomplished by His power and His control alone. We are the vessels He uses for His glory to get things done, but ultimately, transformation happens through God's power alone. We are the blessed creations that get to experience His amazing power firsthand. In times that bring us fear to do His will, such as sharing the Gospel or even praying in public, we need to look to the One who can bring us through it, instead of running away from it.

Let’s take a second and think of a butterfly. We all should know that a butterfly doesn’t start out with beautiful wings and being able to fly. A butterfly is born as a caterpillar, which lives almost in a totally different way than the butterfly. Instead of flying, it crawls everywhere through dirt, mud, and other obstacles, climbing over everything it sees, which is a lot of work. This happens until one day, a change comes. The cocooning process begins and the caterpillar is most likely surprised by this. Have you ever wondered if the caterpillar becomes frightened of this? Does it get warned throughout its whole life that the change happens, or does it just happen? It’s not like it can force it to stop, because the change is inevitable. But without this changing process, the butterfly would never exist. It would never be able to fly or show the world its beautiful wings. It is no longer constantly covered in dirt from everything it crawls through; now it can fly over any obstacle it faces.

We are a lot like the caterpillar. We have this opportunity to become like the butterfly, but instead of wings, we gain the Holy Spirit. Instead of showing everyone our new colors, we are showing them Christ’s love and resurrection. We are made new in Christ when we are born again, and we have to live differently in this world and that desire first comes from the heart. What are we letting others see within us, so that they may be able to see His good plans? It is not from our power alone, it is only through God’s that this is able to be done. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Jonah's story is a reminder of just how powerful God is and how He can use us for His greater glory, such as helping bring entire cities to turn to Him and repent of their old ways. The same power that's within this story also lives within you if you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Let your wings fly!

I encourage you to take this time to pray and ask the Lord for boldness in spreading His news. Think of people in your life who may be on the same path as Nineveh was before Jonah warned them. Have you shared Christ with them? Pray and ask the Lord to help you rely on His Holy Spirit to move within you that you may ultimately be used to bring others to Him!