DON'T RUN!
Jonah had clearly heard the call of God for his life to go and preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, but instead, he chose to run in the opposite direction. God was trying to spare the people of Nineveh from imminent destruction and needed Jonah to heed his call and fulfill his purpose and destiny. Jonah, defiantly rejecting the call of God on his life, went to Joppa where he boarded a ship for a city called Tarshish. Therefore, God allowed a terrible storm to come upon them. In their despair, the men of the ship told everyone to fervently call upon their God for mercy. After receiving no help from their prayers, they decided to cast lots (this is like throwing dice) to figure out whose fault it was that they were in this perilous predicament, and the lot fell to Jonah. Jonah admitted that the terrible storm was all his fault because he was running from what God had told him to do. The men of the ship asked him what they should do to appease Jonah’s God, and Jonah told them to throw him into the sea. Here is what transpired.
“Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:14-17 NLT
Because of his great love, God had a whale swallow Jonah where he stayed for three days and three nights. Jonah, in the belly of that huge fish, cried out to God, repenting of his disobedience to the call of God, giving God his sure word that he would, in fact, go to Nineveh and preach to those people. God caused that great fish to vomit Jonah out on to dry land and Jonah headed immediately for Nineveh. Because of Jonah’s newfound obedience, not only was he saved from death, but a large city was saved from destruction.
God has grand plans for us and, like Jonah, running from him is not such a good idea! Though, in the end, everything will work out for our good, simple obedience would save us from a lot of heartaches. God is in love with people and God is a God of purpose. He will do whatever it takes to help you fulfill your purpose and destiny! Sometimes, bad things happening in our lives is the greatest sign of God’s love and watchful care in operation. When a person is making choices that will ultimately harm their destiny, God often pulls back his hand of protection for a season, allowing the enemy to have his way. Though, as in the life of Job and Jonah, God only lets the enemy go so far, sparing us from utter destruction. The final outcome God has in mind for us is true fulfillment, real purpose, and rich blessing.
Wondering if God called you to do something you have been running from? Has God clearly showed you what he wants you to accomplish? Based upon what happened to Jonah and what we know about the loving ways of God, can I give you some great advice? Whatever you do,