July 21, 2022
Running From God
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.” (Jonah 3:1 Message)
My precious child, do you know how much I love you. My mercy is so vast there’s nothing you can do except (blaspheme the Holy Spirit) that would ever prevent you from being forgiven. I am waiting for you with open arms, run to Daddy! I have an extraordinary plan for you as I did for Jonah. Long ago, God’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and go to the big city of Nineveh – preach repentance to them. Declare judgment on the city because I have seen how wicked the people are and I can’t ignore it any longer.” (Jonah 1:1-2) Jonah went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish, paid the fare, and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish-as far away from God as he could get. Have you ever run from God? When God gives you instruction as He did Jonah, you can go the easy way, or you can go the hard way – but either way, you are going!
God sent a massive storm at sea the ship was about to break into pieces. The sailors were terrified. They called out to their gods in desperation. [They threw everything they were carrying overboard to lighten the ship.] Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship and took a nap. He was sound asleep. The captain yelled, “What’s this? Sleeping! Get up! Pray to your god! Maybe your god will see we’re in trouble and rescue us.” (Jonah 1:3-6) Then the sailors said, “Let’s draw straws to identify the culprit who’s responsible for this disaster.” So, they drew straws. Jonah got the short straw.
Then they grilled him: “Confess. Why this disaster? What is your work? Where do you come from? What country? What family?” He told them, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship God, the God of heaven who made sea and land.” The men were terrified and said, “What on earth have you done!” As Jonah talked, the sailors realized that he was running away from God. By this time the sea was wild, out of control. Jonah said, “Throw me overboard, into the sea – then the storm will stop. It’s all my fault. I’m the cause of the storm.” (Jonah 1:7-12) The storm got worse, wild, and raging. Then they prayed to God, “O God! Don’t let us drown because of this man’s life, and don’t blame us for his death. You are God.” They took Jonah and threw him overboard.
Immediately the sea quieted down. The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of God. They worshipped God, offered a sacrifice, and made vows. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights, and he cried out to God in repentance. (Jonah 1:13-17) Then God instructed the fish to throw Jonah up in Nineveh! (Jonah 2:1-10) God spoke to Jonah a second time to preach repentance to Nineveh, and he obeyed – going a day’s walk into the city and preached telling them in forty days God will destroy Nineveh – repent! (Jonah 3:1-5) When the message reached the King of Nineveh, he issued a proclamation throughout the city, ‘not one drop of water, not one bite of food for the men, women, animals or herds and flocks! Everyone dressed in burlap and send up a cry for help to God – maybe God would change His mind! They repented, and God saw what they had done and changed His mind not to destroy Nineveh! Jonah 3:6-10) You may rebel against what God is calling you to do but make no mistake about it when God has a plan for you, you can go the easy way or the hard way but either way, you will fulfill His plan!
