Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish…And the Lord God prepared a gourd…God prepared a worm…God prepared a vehement east wind. Jonah 1:17, 4:6-8
Each of these four “prepared” things had a purpose in the life of Jonah. They taught him more about God’s character and His ways. The Lord has also prepared things for each of us, either to bring us to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps. 107:23-30), or to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isa. 46:10-11). —E. C. B.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. —Cowper