Taking a detour from God's will

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. Jonah 3:1-5

God always sets His boundaries found in His word and man’s tendency is to go beyond these boundaries. He allows you to go out of His will but it will be to your detriment. This is what happened to Jonah when he was called to tell the Ninevites about God. His heart was filled with hatred to the Ninevites that he did not want to go and obey God. Instead, he went to the opposite direction and found himself inside the belly of a great fish to which God dealt with his disobedience. He came to his senses and went to Nineveh. When they heard Jonah preached about God, the Ninevites repented and turned to God. God gives you option to say “yes” or “no” to His command. But He always expects that as His child you will say, “yes” to His will. So when you say “no” expect that you will be disciplined. Do not disregard God’s discipline for in it you will learn how to live trusting God. “He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child” (Hebrews 12:5-6). When God disciplines you, His ultimate goal is for you to learn valuable lessons and be restored in your relationship with Him. “But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:10-11). God because of His love for you will do everything so you will always be on the path He had set for you. So when you take a detour and you leave the way He has for you, He will do things that will bring you back to Him and His will.

Blessings.