Text: Jonah 1:1-3
The book of Jonah begins typically enough. Another prophet, another message of repentance from God to be communicated to the world. It’s like the beginning of a favorite, familiar song opening softly on your stereo…
Then the record screeches to a halt.
In an unprecedented turn of events – the prophet Jonah hears the Lord’s message and… bluntly refuses! He doesn’t simply squirm like Moses and Elijah and Jeremiah when the Lord called them to something beyond their wheelhouse – Jonah straight up does not approve this message. And he is absolutely not going to perform his prophetly duties and convey God’s words to the wandering hearts of the Ninevites.
We know about Jonah, most of us. We know that God called Jonah to preach repentance to a crazy-wicked city and that Jonah disobeyed because he didn’t think these people deserved God’s mercy. But before we read further into this book, I think we ought to break out a map, outlining in black and white Jonah’s heart-and-body response to God’s calling.
(It’s possible that Jonah’s physical journey might look surprisingly similar to some our own heart-journeys.)
Used with permission [source]
Do you see what I see? It takes very little explanation, really. God spoke to Jonah in the general vicinity of Joppa (point A), Jonah barely glances east toward Nineveh (point B), before he boards the nearest boat headed as far west as he can imagine (point C).
Have you ever fled from the Lord? Ever sensed a strong tugging from the Holy Spirit, but chose to run in the opposite direction?
This is where we’ll leave Jonah today.
Where will we find you?
Sisters, I encourage you to sit in quiet for a while right now. Tune out distractions and pray.
Ask the Lord where He has called you and you have not obeyed. Repent of your disobedience and be forgiven.
Consider the places and people to which He has called you and you have responded with obedience. Praise Him for His direction.
Ask the Father where He would lead you now. Who needs to hear the important message of mercy today?
Now, go in obedience! Share the message of God’s mercy that is just as much for the world as it is for your own soul.
Leave a Reply
74 thoughts on "the prophet who ran"
I don’t agree: http://www.oldsalem.org/files/2015/02/twincityflowershowschedule2-17-2015.pdf
– Nieves
g
Hi, I desire to subscribe for this blog to
take newest updates, therefore where can i do it please help out.
I ran for four years of my life. I thank God that I am back, and thank you sisters for this study. Jonah is so so relevant to my life. I experienced God's mercy firsthand a couple months ago, when his love and mercy saved my brother's life. I had been on my way back to Him at the time, but that event had me on my knees, humbled before Him, praising his love and devotion to us followers who have been like Jonah and ran. I'm starting to understand God's calling for me, but I am fully aware I have no idea where that may be. Even running, God was there. His love and power is overwhelming and I thank him for that.
I thank you SRT for this study. I know i'm joining in late, but I plan on catching up. Thank you, thank you! I'm praying for you all today.
As usual, I am a bit behind on the plan, but want to respond anyway before I read all the wonderful comments above. Jonah was called to do a very hard thing, wasn't he? Go to a big, evil, lost city and proclaim God's love for the people. He didn't want to do it. Was he afraid for his very life? Or ridicule? Or rejection? Or hard work? I giggled when I saw to what extreme Jonah went to try to escape what God wanted him to do! Oh how I would love to know more about Jonah's backstory. I bet it is quite interesting! I love that God kept Jonah under his watchful care even when Jonah tried desparately to escape it. Thank goodness he pursues me and you in the same way. I also love that he brought him back to where he needed to be through the picture of Jesus in the grave for three days and nights. Redemption! Salvation! Our life's work! Jonah is me in so many ways, but I am praying that the end of my story is one of gratitude and thanksgiving, not grumbling. Guess that means I better live this moment in that way!
Wow! I'm a super visual learner and that map speaks volumes to me! Who knew?! He busted outta there like Alcatraz!
I will be praying today for God to reveal those times of desperate disobedience in my heart. I'm not a fan of fish…whether as a pet or on my plate, and I certainly don't want God to take the same measures with me to get my attention!!
Amen!
I had been running from God and dragging my feet terribly on something He called me to do: start a flag worship ministry at our church. I have been worshipping with the flags for several months and my pastor was asking me when I was going to start the ministry. Well….next month…um next week….uh sometime soon. Shame on me! The Lord has really been dealing with me. He is soo patient!
I finally started the ministry and have 3 beautiful ladies I'm training and teaching. I am so blessed to work and worship with them. They are teaching me too! I love how God works and when we finally quit running from Him, he blesses us tremendously.
God bless you sisters. Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Amen. He is indeed plenteous in mercy. Our own disobedience can destroy us. Take heed today. Repent and be reconciled with the Father.
I have not trusted Him to guide me to where He wants me to go. I have gone where it suits me and I haven't actually sat and tried to listen to what He wants for me
First an update: The school situation is better, I hope. The meeting went well. Thank you to this community for encouraging me. Second: fix one leak in the dam another place springs a leak. My job is just all kinds of crazy, I feel inadequate. I had many reservations about taking this job and now I feel like all those reservations were correct. I don't know how to handle it. There are several things that have come up that I honestly don't want to handle and like Jonah…
I. Want. To. Run. Please God let me run. Let me say all of my excuses and run. I don't want to do this, I don't want to face this. I want to run. It's not about mercy, it's about fear right now. I'm scared I can't do this and I can't do it well. I'm worried about the relationships this affects. I got the job through my sister who is a client of my boss…. I just want to run.
I'm not angry with her and God knows she could use a witness to tell her about God's Mercy. She deserves it. I have no qualms about that… I'm not asking for hellfire and brimstone on her….. But oh how I want to run from this. I don't feel peace about staying and I have less peace about quitting. I'm also not too interested in being swallowed up by a whale…. but running seems like a good option right now.
Lord Jesus…. help me through this! I'm definitely sinking in the sand, on the waves, too far from the shore where it's not safe.
Maybe I will rue the day I said:
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Where ever you would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior.
So I will call upon your name……
I loved the map!!!! I loved seeing where Jonah took his course of action and out right disobed! This message also spoke to me because I guess I too have disobeyed God when he tells me to go to places like church on Wednesdays, go help this lady, talk to a parent at school, etc. and I don't do it – I feel very guilty after wards……… Thank – you for these words and helping me see Jonah in a whole new light…… Thank – you God for coming with us into the pages of Jonah with us and revealing so much!!!!!
CRYING. REPENTING, FORGIVEN. OBEYING THANK YOU LORD
Jonah is funny, sisters. I know we all remember those times our parents asked us to do something and we did the complete opposite… ON PURPOSE! Just like all the times from my childhood, I thought I would get away with running from the truth by staying out later than I was supposed to thinking "Mom will never find out." Wrong!
I am a proud Aunt (the kids call me Titi) of four! No children of my own yet but I just delighted in the times when my nieces and nephews were babies. They loved it when I would chase them around the house. It wasn't funny, however, when they would run off in the mall or in the grocery store intentionally, especially after I instructed them to hold on to the cart.
In both of these examples, I have learned that we are not only given instructions for our own protection but we are given instructions of purpose. God has given us instructions to protect us and to provide purpose for our lives!
I too have ran from God, being so far from home ( His presence) caught in the belly of the fish ( my sin) like Jonah not caring who you may be hurting along the way. Then after being waken from it all I cried for the Lord to please rescue me and as deep as I was and filthy as I felt he still protected me and still does. Through all that he looked out for me because I know he has a plan for me and I Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal that to me whatever it may be. my desire is to obey his will. I am truly Blessed to have found SRT to help me along the way I feel like I'm not alone. Thank you sisters for sharing.. Thank you Jesus for leading me here
Sheesh! A rebuke is never fun but I thank god for it because it puts you right back where you need to be.
This map is so accurate- I have been in a place before where I was Jonah and I honestly feel as though every now now and again god tests me in the same way he did Jonah. What I am learning is that Gods commands and his instructions are for my own good. He is god so he lacks nothing and he needs nothing. He wants us- me to be Obedient because through obedience is how we show we truly love him. He wants to know that we love him- this is measured by our obedience. Obedience is the struggle because it is uncomfortable at times and required consistency. As I was doing the assignment at the end– I knew I was out of order. My prayer is that I may know god for who he is- not for what he has done but for who he is, that I may live as though I acknowledge him for who he is, and that I will do my best to walk according to the instructions he has given me. Teach us how to be obedient father.
Thanks #shereadstruth for your ministry.
I don't know about the rest of you sisters, but sometimes I struggle with knowing the most effective way to minister to those in my life who are lost. Within the past year, God placed a woman and fellow mom in my life who is an atheist. She is from the Czech Republic, which is a very atheistic county, so she was never exposed to any form of religion growing up. Although I've shared my faith with her and tried to be a witness through my life, I sometimes feel that I'm not being bold enough. She is part of our local MOPS group which I Co-Coordinate, which those of you who are familiar may know is a Christian ministry, and I've seen the Spirit move her through the testimonies of our members. She is also my neighbor. Please pray for me, that I will be obedient and fearless to whatever path God wants me to take to bring the Light to this woman, that His Spirit may shine so powerfully through me that the walls around her would come down.
Video link was not done correctly :( sorry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXgmKz_Xmw
Heavenly Father, When I read this before going to bed late or early(and did not want to be the 1st to comment), I went to You as Raechel encouraged us to get quiet with You and so I spent much of the night with You, confessing and seeking Your direction.
Forgive me LORD for the times that I followed going in the opposite direction like Jonah and mapped my own way rather than Yours. Forgive me that my map of running also shows much distance and many times that I went the long way instead of where You called me.
Each time I come before You, You know exactly who comes to mind that needs to hear and receive the message of Your mercy and Grace found in Jesus. We have spent many years waiting for this one (my dear husband) to come to Jesus, and accept Him as Lord and Savior.
I've cried out to You often and now even moreso since he will be having neurosurgery on this Thurs. am from the rollover accident two weeks ago. He needs You, Lord! You are His Healer and the only Source that this 80+ man needs. I've placed Sam in Your arms so often because I trust Your Promises in Your Word, and believe that You love him so much that You gave Your precious Son Jesus so that Sam might have eternal life and not perish. That Sam would come to You, acknowledge he is a sinner and that Jesus is the only Way to You. He has not come to that point yet, although he knows You as God, Creator. Help him with any confusion in his mind, pride, unbelief, rebellion, or whatever may be keeping Sam from surrendering to Jesus, remove all and any obstacles that his life experiences have hardened him towards You and the church. Forgive him and have mercy upon him. Be the guiding hands of the neurosurgeon on his vertebra, as the Great Physician that Your will be done and Your way of saving him be accomplished in Jesus' name. I am too many miles away (in the opposite direction just like Jonah)
but I know that You are everywhere and can cross the distance, and be revealed in a new way that Sam cannot resist any longer.
Forgive me for sending or asking others to be with him, if that is where I should be but thank You for those that pray or go in Jesus' name. I thank You for our personal relationship and I have desired this for Sam for years and years. May Jesus be revealed to Sam because Your Word says so and that no one comes to You, the Father except through Jesus. Help Sam to see and hear this message. Open his eyes and his heart. Bring relief from pain and healing as You care for this dear man as Yours.
I release You Holy Spirit to draw life into this situation and give You all the glory, honor and praise.
I know that there are so many others that You have sent me to tell this "good news" of Jesus Christ, as Savior, Redeemer and Healer so I give You praise that although I am in the place You have sent me that I went about this my way instead of waiting on Your way and guidance and timing. But I am here and only You can be there. I lifted as many as I could that came to mind during my wrestling last night and early this day but Jesus is my Prince of Peace and I will hold on to Him, follow Him, lean and trust Him in all my ways that my heart would hear even His quiet whisper and by Your Spirit, I would move where You say … <a href = "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXgmKz_Xmw"> and where You go, I go … what You say, I'll say … and what You pray, I'll pray … "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven "… I love You, Father. Thank You for sending Jesus for us and our sin, Thank You Jesus for redeeming us from sin, death and sickness and nailing it to the Cross and leaving Your precious Holy Spirit to guide and lead us …
{SRT sisters, if you feel led, will you pray for my husband along with whoever God places on your heart. Thank you!}
Father, thank you for this wife who prays for her husband. Thank you for the man you gave her and for his life. Heavenly Father, we know that you LOVE him. You delighted to create him and you died for him. Let him SEE it. Let it be SO real that he cannot miss it or choose another way. Please allow for healing through this surgery- not only of his body but also of his soul. I pray that THROUGH this day, THROUGH the accident, THROUGH the surgery, he would come to know you as the Saviour who loves him so mightily. Father, be peace in this situation. Hold them close to your heart. I pray for your power to be so very evident and your love to envelope this couple in an unmistakeable way.
* BIG hug! * for you, and I am praying for you and your husband! <3
Prayers for the both of you sister…
Praying, Peggy.
I have run from God many times and each time he has brought me back. I cant wait to learn more of this book! I remember my pastor preaching on this not too long agoand the story has always stayed with me!
I have a greater appreciation for Jonah. How often I look at the size and sacrifice before saying yes to the Lord. This trip was more than a trip in the neighborhood. Lord forgive me for looking at how hard the journey will.be, rather than trusting in your faithfulness.
I can imagine;I running n still God in pursuit of me;His Immense love Covering me frm getting in2 Danger in ny disobidence act…Am all d way Jonah;N God’s My Ever Present Help;Who alwz wl rescue frm d Fish’s belly;Thank u lord*(Singing)*More Grace’s al I ask of u lord;let ur word b a lamp un2 ma feet n a light 2 my path…Thnks Racheal n thanks SRT n thanks Sisters..Pray 4 evry1 2day.
If I have learned nothing else, I realize that running from God is futile! I ran, sprinted, and speed walked away but when I turned around to see if God was still chasing behind me, He was actually right in front of me with open arms! Truthfully, I ran the opposite way in thinking that if I smoked enough weed He would realize that He chose the wrong one. Thanks be to our Holy and forgiving God that He didn't give up on me but restored me! I thank God for putting on His Holy track shoes and running after me in hot pursuit to cleanse me for His purpose.
I loved everyone's comments realizing that we can't escape from Him. We can cancel the boat, plane, and train escape route and just rest in the knowledge that He ALWAYS knows best. How thankful we are for our Jonah experience in acknowledging that on the path of His purpose is where we were created to be.
Have an amazing day my sweet sisters with your feet firmly planted in His Will!
Yes, Steph! It's amazing how we sometimes think the further we run, the more distance we put between ourselves and God. But when we turn around, he's right there! He's chasing us, just waiting for us to turn around. Thank you God for your undeserved mercy.
And another thing. God knew, he knew Jonah would disobey at first, yet he still asked him.!!
I bet he could have found someone who would have just gone straight away with no issues, but he saw Jonah and chose Him. He doesn't use perfect people, so never disqualify yourself ladies! He uses us earthen vessels, us fragile things, but he fills us with his awesome treasure.
So even with the mistakes we have made, the times we have failed. He knew we would, but he still chose us. So that we would live not out of ourselves but by His grace. And with His word and His Spirit that now lives in us, when we yield we will get to Ninevah, and He will give us the words and peoples lives will change. Despite our disqualifications…they in a sense are what "qualify" us.
Praise GOd!
Amen to this Beverley!
Yes, indeed…..AMEN, Beverley.
I so love that a couple of you have referenced Psalm 139:7 this morning!! Just before I started this devotional I read Psalm 139:5.6 "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."
What a beautiful thing to know that we can not go anywhere he hasn't already been or will be! He hems us in behind and before!
Thank you Lord Jesus even when I try to run off to Tarshish You've got my back!!
In a weird way, I am SO thankful for Jonah's disobedience. I know.. he should have obeyed. But boy is it refreshing to see someone else mess up and still find God's grace. I think Jonah's story can resonate with all of us in some way or another and to know that even in our disobedience God can offer us grace and use us for His good is GREAT news. I love the map today! Very cool. :)
Thank you for the map I was just about 10 mins ago trying to find these places on the map in the back of my bible but guess what I couldn't that bc it wasn't big enough ( I was using the one covering Paul's missionary jounry) so Jonah tried to run farther than Paul went to preach. Talk about comparison! Holy Spirit help kindly remind me when I begin to run or turn from God.
vs. 3 – to go with them to Tarshish…….FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. What a great yet painful reminder that my acts of disobedience take me away from the presence of the Lord. Those words jumped off the page at me today. I never want to be out of the presence of my Abba Father, my Protector, my Healer, the Lover of my soul! As a mom, I think of the danger and fear my child faces when they wonder away from me in public. Sometimes it's just a seemingly innocent yet curious nature that prompts them to "disobey" and other times it is a blatant act of the will……but disobedience either way. And what about those times I have "partially" obeyed the Lord….thinking in my fleshly mind that I was still doing the right thing. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Lord, I never want to be out of your presence….not even for one second! Forgive me for "cutting corners" at times and allowing myself to believe that I was obeying You. Thank You for your gentle mercy that forgives and always sees me even when I lose sight of You!
I love the image you shared of children wandering from their parent – whether it's a naturally curious & innocent wandering, or an intentional & obvious change in direction – BOTH are disobedience, not listening to the parent! WOW!
Thank you SheReadsTruth the map just brings it home. We run all over not to do what the Lords wants us too. When all we
needed to do was obey Him from the beginning. The Lord's Will will be done! No matter how far we run in the other direction
We will find ourselves in DEEP WATER. Let's pray to God for obedience to do what He has called us to do.
Amy, I cannot tell you how blessed you are already, just for listening. There have been a number of times in my life I have obeyed, complete with sweaty palms. Remember this is our God who can do IMMEASURABLY MORE than we could ask or even IMAGINE. It may not bring restitution to the situation, but it will bring peace.
Thanks so much for your words & encouragement, Dori! I've been repeating this verse to myself all day.
Makes me think of this octopus http://img.pandawhale.com/post-25055-NOPE-octopus…
Oh, how I have been there. When I have a clear understanding of what is expected of me, and choose to go the other way. Sigh. This imperfection stuff really stinks.
hahaha! Yes! That octopus is exactly my heart sometimes. I'm comforted to know that this is not just a "me" problem, and that God pursues us to the ends of the Earth in His faithfulness. Praise Him.
That octopus is fantastic. My heart IS that octopus wayyy too often. God is SO good and SO faithful.
I have flat run from God himself. Why? Pain, disappointment, death, loss, divorce, distress. You'd think I'd hear him whisper through all that but no. I ran. I chose friends and romantic relationships that led me even further from him. And when those relationships proved disappointing I finally began to hear him gently calling me back. A pastor pointed out that Jesus is always in pursuit of me. And man, that hit me like a rock. You mean the God of Heaven is actually pursuing me while I waste away/run away? He doesn't just leave me be? He comes for me? Wow. I've been in church my whole life and I never realized that.
It was shortly after that I begged Him to make a way out for me and you know He did.
I'm reading "Restless" right now and the book is talking about surrender to God. With your WHOLE life. I've been praying that prayer – albeit somewhat reluctantly. What will that look like? My whole life – here you go God. Do with me as you wish. Why does it seem so scary? Why is it so hard to turn it over?
This goes right along with that. And Jonah is one example of the lengths we'll go to satisfy our own desire and the lengths God will go in pursuit of us.
Thank you for sharing this!! I am right there with you. Isn't it amazing how He loves us so much and will pursue us relentlessly? Have a beautiful Wednesday!! – Kristina
I see here how it actually takes more effort to run from God's will, than to obey his plans for us. And we know that His plans are to prosper us, and not to harm us. Let me boldly go where you call me to go, and start doing your will the easier way, your way not mine.
I thought that exact same thing. He ran about three times as far as the journey God asked him to make. How often do we do that when we ignore God's urging and go where we want. Yet. He is always there to get us back on course when we turn to Him. I am really going to focus on this map to use it as a reminder to do God's will from the beginning and have a shorter trip.
I remember my parents using the phrase "direct disobedience", and that's what Jonah did! He directly disobeyed. He did not just disobey. He didn't just stay where he was and refuse to go to Ninevah. But he intentionally did the exact opposite of obeying — he went the other way!
While my parents don't still give me orders and call me on it when I don't follow them, God sure does. Lord, please forgive me for my direct disobedience and help me to follow your call more willingly every day.
Psalm 137
Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? 8If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. 9 If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, 10you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me. 11I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light round me to turn into night, 12but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day.Darkness and light are the same to you.
I have been running from God for some time now, and it is so funny to have be smacked in the face to know that I have only gotten as far as I would have running on my treadmill. I may be giving it all I've got, but God will not let me get away. Pray with me sisters for me to change my course and run back to more fellowship with him and to find a church home where I can truly worship, serve, and grow in my relationship with my heavenly Father.
Have a blessed morning.
Praying for you to follow God,s lead, Sheila. Blessings
Shelia God honors your willingness to now obey. I pray that you find a church home that you can plug into and help edify The Kingdom with. Your purpose/gifts/calling will make room for you. I'm excited for all the doors of opportunity that will be opened to you! Be blessed!
I was dating this guy who ended things with me back in January. I was devastated and had no answer to why this happened to me. I held onto it for so long that I would one day have closure, but that’s not what God wants of me. Two weeks ago, I felt a nudging to call him and apologize for some things in our relationship, but I pushed it aside even though it kept coming back. Last night I finally realized it was the Lord convicting me and I need to call him and make things right, and today’s devotional solidifies all of that. Sisters, pray for me as I make this call today. Please pray that he answers, that God will calm my anxious heart, and that He will give me the words to say. I am so nervous, but an trusting in Christ.
Just said a prayer for you, Amy!
Thank YOU so much, sister!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
Praying for you, Amy! Praying for you to have peace and the right words to say. Know that the Lord goes before you and prepares the way for you.
I so appreciate this, Christin. Thank you!
Amy, my prayers are with you for the Lord to give you the right words to say. So you can have proper closer and peace in your heart. I know sometimes it can lead to having iniquity and we know that " If I hold iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear" Psalms 66:18 been guilty of that! Blessings to you Amy…
I am very grateful for your prayers, they are coveted!
Oh yes. I am Jonah too. Doing that about face to avoid what God has called me to because it doesn’t suit my fancy, or is too hard. But it is His will I should want, and His power I have to use. Lord, show me when you are pointing me to Ninevah and I am headed for Tarshish. And turn me back around.
This map made me realize How we sometimes make things more difficult than what God is calling us to do. Jonah, like me sometimes more than doubles the work to obedience. Wow!! Thank you for the illustration. Have a beautiful day ladies. Be blessed and a blessing.
Me too! Way too much. He'll tell me something, and then somehow, I'll make it into something bigger entirely… I overthink and over complicate things to the point of not obeying what He said in the first place. Sigh. God is such an awesome God, to be patient with us in our wandering and leaning on our own understanding.
I love how the Bible is full of people just like us. Lol I know I have had times when I felt like and even did run. Let's talk about running in the opposite direction, Jonah was going to make sure he was as far away from his assignment as possible! I am so thankful that God comes to find us no matter where we try to run to and brings us back to our destiny.
Wow!! I so love the map analysis, God has a way of bringing us back to him no matter how far we run. Thanks SRT for the interactive bible studies.
Hahaha that map wow! Even from the furtherest distance he can bring us back to the centre of His will. We just need to agree with him and realise we have gone waayyyyy of course. Thank you Lord for your mercy!
That map is not just as illustration of Jonah's disobedience but how Christian life can be at times. In my own life I know I have strayed way off course even though like Jonah I was fully aware I was going against God's will. But… we serve an awesome and extremely gracious God that is able to forgive the most blatant of disobedience, the most heinous of sins.
This morning I just want to thank God for taking me out of the gutter and placing me where he wants me to be. In a position to shine forth as his own. I pray for continuous improvement and support in my walk with him.
I am so thankful for SRT as a major tool in my growth.
Have a great day ladies.
I can SO relate to your comment Aneika. Thanking Him for His grace this morning.
"This morning I just want to thank God for taking me out of the gutter and placing me where he wants me to be." Thank you Aneika!!! He had to dig deep to grab us but He was persistent. How beautiful it is to be graciously cleaned up and placed firmly back on the path of our purpose. How you have a great day too!
This reminded me of Psalm 139:7-10. “Where can I flee from your presence?” Just like Jonah we can not hide from God. Although I have tried.
Even in my very recent studies of Jonah, I had never looked at a map or considered the extreme measure Jonah had taken to get away! Wow! When he ran, he really ran!
But how many times have I been just like him? Probably too numerous to count. I remember one particular time God called and I did NOT want to go! (this wasn't overseas, miraculously, and it was a miracle for ME, I willingly answered that call!) But I was sure I knew better than God and I had it all figured out.
Woe is me. "Woe unto thee!"
I found out it was much easier to obey than to argue. He taught me so much in that SEASON…just as He taught Jonah in his.
Thank you, this was eye-opening!
Rachael, the Map has had me laughing, with tears as I remember my daughter and a trip to the dentist……she had toothache that was needing to be dealt with….cue dentist…..she's in the chair, he's talking to her, explaining what he was going to do……He picked up the drill…..checked it worked….leant forward to work….she was gone……….running, halfway down the road, when he got to the door to see where she was………I love that image of my daughter, makes me smile……I can see her looking back, and the expression on her face was priceless…..But her mother……… on the other hand, a runner, from all sorts, from life through to God's gifts, to God's calling, to downright disobedience of God and His leading…….I am not proud of those times….. but I sit here, now, repenting and asking forgiveness for the road I've 'sailed' , the judgemental calls I have made, the better than thou attitude I have had, praying that God will hear my cry of repentance forgiveness and answer me…. I have been disobedient Lord, forgive me, I have made judgement calls that were not mine to make, forgive me Lord, I have run away, frequently, Lord I'm sorry…..I am here now Lord, lead me….guide me direct me…….show me the way to go,Lord….let me not run and hide ,but openly be that person made in your image…..for your Glory, Lord…..AMEN……
Thank you Rachael, for this, I have been so brought to account today……
Happy Wednesday Sisters…..x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tina I had to chuckle at the story about your daughter! It brought to memory a family story that is constantly told about my older sister. She was 4, in fear of taking a bath, and took advantage of my Mom turning from her to check the water temperature. She ran out of the front door naked as a jaybird! Oh, the lengths we'll go when we are in fear of doing what we need to do. May the Lord place spiritual cement shoes on us so that we do not flee from His purpose and calling on our lives.
AMEN Stephen, amen. X
I don't want to be Jonah anymore! I pray for courage and strength to go where it is God is calling me no matter what my brain or heart is telling me. I want to follow Him fully, but sometimes it's too scary and easier just to do my own thing. But I don't want to do my own thing anymore. I want to submit to Him.