By: HisFamilyTable
Faith, Family, Thoughts, , , , , , , ,

Jonah

Emotional? He had to be crazy!

Here is a man whom God asked to do His bidding. What ever his reason he didn’t want to do God’s will and thought he could run and hide. He fled to the Port of Joppa where he caught a ship to carry him away. Run from God! He had to be crazy!

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A storm at sea caused panic and every man called upon their god to save them. Except for  Jonah, he was fast asleep. Was he tired from running or do you think he was at ease thinking he got away? Well, they woke him up to call upon his God, the truth came out and Jonah said, “pick me up and throw me into the sea.” (Jonah 1:12) He feared God and  threw himself upon his Maker’s mercy, which came in the form of a whale.

I wonder if God’s ways have changed in His dealings with man? He does the calling, we hear His voice through His Word. “  (your name)  , I want you to do such and such.”  Do we run from God’s will or pretend we don’t hear, and by covering our eyes do we think we hide?  Lots of times we are just like Jonah.

“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)  It was only three full days  and nights! I know a rebellious man who spent years suffering God’s justice before he threw himself upon His mercy.  He was not like Jonah who said, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9) This man was an ignorant Gentile who did not know to fear.

It took half a lifetime of consequences before he could see that he was the problem. That time has long passed since he threw himself upon God’s mercy.  Hearing God’s word he learned to fear. That was the beginning of wisdom that lead to understanding the love of God for man.

“He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:9-10)

Doing God’s commandments didn’t save him, Jesus did. Doing God’s will brought him peace and wellbeing. I pray the same for you.