you can do as you please

so...Jonah and I have been hanging out for a while.

a while as in.... several years. we have gotten to know each other pretty well. yet the Lord still uses this little book to teach me new things all the time.

"Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own gods....the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried to the Lord, 'O Lord, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O Lord, have done as you pleased.' Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him." Jonah 1:4-5, 13-16

most of the time when this phrase "the Lord has done as he pleased" is used, it is dealing with getting rid of our idols. Often situations arise that seem horrible, uncomfortable, disappointing or irritating - are situations where the Lord is removing things from our life that we value more than him. And when we finally recognize him for who he is, we'll finally get the point...he is God and he can do as he pleases.


"I know the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." Psalm 135:5-6

"Our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands on men." Psalm 115:3-4

"To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles...Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 45:5-10