God’s Pursuit
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Jonah 1:4-10, Mark 4:41, Proverbs 16:33
BY Rebecca Faires
Text: Jonah 1:4-10, Mark 4:41, Proverbs 16:33
This is part of a 7-day series on Jonah in the Lent 2016 reading plan.
I can imagine him there, on the boat. Pulling the coarse blanket tighter and rolling over, sighing as he sank deeper into sleep. Perhaps the dark, warm cabin where Jonah slept creaked and groaned as the waves outside surged with increasing intensity. Meanwhile, the sailors above deck were left to scan the horizon, and anxiously glance up toward a dark, grey sky, heavy with the strength of the Lord Almighty. And as each man cried out to his own false god, the One true God was coming for Jonah.
He was running away, but God pursued him like only the Creator and Lord of the sea could: with a furious ocean tempest. Jonah tried to flee from the very presence of the Lord, believing he could hide out in an old boat heading in a new direction.
But our God is fierce and awesome in His pursuit. There was never any chance of Jonah hiding from Him. Even the inanimate dice the sailors used to cast lots pointed to Jonah as the one running from God (Jonah 1:7). All creation seemed to be shouting, “Return!” In the face of the deafening storm and sure signs, the sailors feared for their lives, and looked to Jonah with eyes of blame and hands ready to give him the heave-ho.
God uses wind and waves, pennies and dice; everything in creation stands by to obey its Creator. When we read about His greatness, we’re left in awe and wonder. But in real life, it can all be so terrifying in the moment.
God’s pursuit is relentless exactly because He is so loving. He could’ve crushed Jonah under a tremendous sea surge and found another man. Jonah had his chance, and he clearly took the coward’s way out, right? God gave him a clear-as-day instruction—something we all long for—and he ran like a frightened child in the other direction. Why didn’t God give up on Jonah?
God wanted Jonah. Goodness, isn’t that amazing?
I sometimes feel like I’m a substandard version of the person who should actually be living my life. I often worry there is someone who would be a better mother to my kids, wife to my husband, friend to my friends. And the truth is, I do fall short. But despite my imperfections and failings, I’m the right mother for my children and wife for the husband God has so graciously given me. And I’m a good friend to those He’s gifted me with in this journey.
God gives specific callings to specific people. That means God wants me for my particular calling and life. It means He has specific plans for you too. Ephesians tells us “we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
We can’t escape God and His stormy gale of purpose. He pursues us with love that is filled with a beautiful intensity unlike anything else we have ever known.
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
-Psalm 139:7-10
120 thoughts on "God’s Pursuit"
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God uses wind and waves, pennies and dice; everything in creation stands by to obey its Creator. When we read about His greatness, we’re left in awe and wonder. But in real life, it can all be so terrifying in the moment….Amen to this. Terrifying in the moment.. He is still with us in the midst of what feels out of control and hopeless.. We must not flee from Him but cling to Him as He navigates our way through the turbulent storms.. It won’t last forever.
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I am trying so hard to find purpose in where God has me right now. I am suffering with an illness that I feelis so unfair and holding me back feels like.
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Hi Stacey, I can relate to this very much. I have been ill for the past 3 years almost and have wrestled with the ‘whys’ and trying to figure out what’s going on. I can completely understand how hard it is and also unsettling. I want to encourage you though to ask the Father what season this is for you. We know there is a season for all things and Jonah’s season was a season of mission, of doing, of crazy adventure but he would have also had other seasons that weren’t recorded in the bible. Remember that pain that Joseph went through before he was made leader of Egypt in order to save the people of Israel. God has shown me through the pain of my season that his purposes have been to prepare me, grow me, and heal my heart. It has been a time where He has revealed His goodness to me in the midst of horrible circumstances. My physical healing will come, so will yours.. Pray everyday to be healed but also ask him what this season is about. You will get through, He has promised that. He has great purpose for your life but He works all things for your good, so I know there is great purpose in this season for you also. Draw close and rest under His wings, in time He will show you what your called to. Xxx
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I needed this today. I’m struggling so much with loving myself and feeling like I’m enough.
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Celeste, praying for you to know you are ENOUGH! And not just that you are so LOVED and IMPORTANT to your Creator who sent HIS son with the sole purpose of dying for you. Hang in there. I know it’s easier said then to fully understand it. I’m still working on it too. Just remember that God’s got you every step of the way. ❤️
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Wow. This out a lump in my throat. Perfect image. Thank you for sharing it!
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Just a comment about the devotional part that might need a tweak. When you said you were the right parent for your children and spouse for your husband I’m on board completely, but when you said ” I’m a good friend”, I want to clarify that because God calls us to do something or be somewhere doesn’t mean that we will do it all perfectly. God puts us in those roles but we can be a bad parent or spouse or friend. He doesn’t dictate our actions and that is why he is a loving and sovereign. Hope that makes sense.
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Hi James Gurl,
I’m not sure if anyone else will chime in on this, but I wanted to answer your question! Romans 3:23 explains that we all mess up, and can’t make ourselves right with God by our own effort. We’ll just never get there! But the very next verse is the best part: Romans 3:24 – “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” God knows we can’t make ourselves right, so Jesus takes our place. He died for our own sins, took our punishment, and lets US have the reward! He freely gives us grace, freely covers our wrong-doing, freely makes us right with God. There is a part in 1 John 4:9-10 that talks about how much God loves us. That He made the way for us to be right with Him, because He loves us so much. I hope that this helps, and that God is helping you see His love for you!
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I love how God places the perfect words in front of you when you need them. I have been struggling with believing that God has called me to do the work I am doing. These past few weeks I have been running from Him and not believing I am good enough to fulfill such a purpose. I have felt Him pulling at my heart, but I have been purposefully pushing Him away. Not anymore. Today I will remember that He pursues me and equips me to fulfill His purpose for me and He does it to bring about good in my life. So grateful we have such an AWESOME God!
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Hi Jessica! I’ve been where you are. I think so many of us have. My heart longed to please God, but where He wanted to place me I couldn’t possibly be used. Or so I thought. Those thoughts of doubt flooded my mind. But I realized that was the enemy attacking me. That was exactly what he wanted me to believe. God can take any of us and use us according to His plan. Praying for you today as you push forward with Him and where He is calling you!
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