Hornets, Fish and the Will of God

The Hornet Song

When the Canaanites hardened their hearts against God,
And grieved Him because of their sin,
God sent along hornets to bring them to terms,
And to help His own people to win.

Now the hornets persuaded them that it was best
To go quickly and not to go slow,
They didn't compel them to go 'gainst their will.
But they just made them willing to go.

If a nest of live hornets were brought to this room,
And the creatures allowed to go free,
You would not need urging to make yourself scarce,
You'd want to get out, don't you see!


When Jonah was sent to the work of the Lord,
The outlook was not very bright,
Why he never had done such a hard thing before,
So he backed out and ran off from the fight.

Now, the Lord sent a big fish to swallow him up,
The story I am sure you all know,
God didn't compel him to go 'gainst his will,
But He just made him willing to go.

Chorus:
God doesn't compel us to go, oh, no!
He never compels us to go,
God does not compel us to go 'gainst our will,
But He just makes us willing to go.

Many years ago, I remember hearing this song and being struck by the neat way it approached the question of man's free-agency and God's sovereign will. 

I look back on my life with the good and bad decisions I've made and see the Finger of God in evidence: sometimes prodding, sometimes tapping me on the shoulder and other times being shaken before me in warning. 

And now, I thank the Lord for each one of these times and that I was 'made willing to' do God's will.