God’s Plan: Lessons from Jonah and the Levites
“The Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)
The Bible is full of stories where God picks specific people or even creatures to carry out His plans, and two that really stand out to me are Jonah’s wild ride and the role of the Levites. These examples hit hard because they show God’s in charge, and He’s got a purpose for everything—even the weird or tough stuff. Let’s break it down with some Scripture and real-life perspective to see what we can learn about trusting God’s appointments.
Jonah’s story is like something out of a movie. God tells him to go preach to Nineveh, but Jonah’s like, “Nope!” and hops a ship in the opposite direction. Spoiler: you can’t outrun God. He sends a storm, Jonah gets tossed overboard, and then God appoints a massive fish to swallow him whole (Jonah 1:17). That fish wasn’t just some random sea creature—it was God’s chosen tool to keep Jonah safe for three days and nights until he was ready to listen.
Later, after Jonah finally does his job and Nineveh turns to God, he’s still grumpy about it. So God appoints a plant to give him shade, then sends a worm to chew it up (Jonah 4:6-7). Sounds petty, but it was God’s way of teaching Jonah about His compassion for all people, not just the ones Jonah liked. Those appointments—the fish, the plant, the worm—weren’t accidents. They were God’s way of getting Jonah’s attention and showing His mercy.
Then there’s the Levites, God’s chosen crew in the Old Testament. In Numbers 3:12, God says, “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine.” They were set apart to be priests and take care of the Tabernacle, handling sacred duties like worship and sacrifices. That was a huge deal—God picked them for a unique purpose, tailored to their role in His plan.
The Levites remind me that God’s got specific jobs for each of us. Just like He handpicked them to serve in the Tabernacle, He’s got plans for me that fit who I am and what I can do. It’s comforting to know my life isn’t random—God’s got a purpose for it.
These stories scream one big truth: God’s in control, and nothing’s an accident. Whether it’s a fish saving Jonah, a worm teaching him a lesson, or the Levites serving as priests, God’s appointments are on purpose. That hits home for me when life feels chaotic. Like when I’m stressed about college apps or fighting with a friend, it’s easy to think things are spinning out of control. But Jonah and the Levites show me God’s working in every moment, even the ones that feel like a mess.
I’ve had times when something tough—losing a friendship—turned out to be a wake-up call or a chance to grow. Those moments weren’t random; they were God’s appointments to shape me. Just like He used a fish to redirect Jonah, He uses people and situations in my life to guide me closer to Him.
The biggest takeaway? God’s plans are always for our good, even when we don’t get it. Romans 8:28 backs this up: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” I need to stop thinking my struggles are outside God’s control. Every high, every low, every win, every loss—it’s all part of His plan to pull me into a deeper relationship with Him. Jonah didn’t see the fish coming, and the Levites didn’t choose their role, but God’s appointments were perfect.
So, let’s trust God’s timing and lean into His wisdom. When life throws curveballs, I want to remember that God’s got a purpose, and He’s using it to shape me for His glory. What’s a moment in your life where you saw God’s plan at work? Let’s keep encouraging each other to trust His appointments, knowing He’s always got us.