We all have probably heard the story of Jonah and the whale. For the sake of this devotion, let's briefly recap before we get into the lessons God shares with this story.
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and share a word with the people there. Instead Jonah fled, taking a ship in the opposite direction. A turbulent storm came upon the ship and the crewmen were petrified. They tried all they could to weather the storm, however had no resolution. They cried out to each of their gods looking for solace from the storm, as Jonah lay asleep in the bottom of the boat ...
There are two perspectives that I hope to share on the lesson God shows through the story of Jonah. The first - Jonah 1:5
Your Disobedience Could Be Costly To Those Around You
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. -Jonah 1:5
wares: (7) keli, a "prepared" something, as an implement, tool, weapon, utensil, armor, furniture, sack, vessel, hence, wares (Jonah 1:5).
Not only did Jonah's disobedience cost him the monetary fare of the trip but the people around him had to throw away those preparations that would benefit them on their journey! Now that's costly. Take a moment to think about the people around you. Would you want them to be punished for acts of YOUR disobedience?
God's Will WILL Be Done
Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. -Jonah 1:14
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. -Jonah 1:16
Now, even after Jonah's disobedience he was STILL used to bring people to Christ. Verse 14 and 16 tell us that after their experience with God through Jonah's acts of disobedience, even the crew members came to recognize, reverence, and respect OUR God, the TRUE and living God. We know from Proverbs that this is where it all starts; until you have THAT experience with God you are lost.
Proverbs 1:7
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Jonah was in a fleeting state-he was running from God, but was STILL used to carry out God's plan of reaching the lost. I encourage you brother and sister, don't let your disobedience be costly to those around you; even in the absence of cooperation and alignment with Him, YOU could be used to minister to others. How much sweeter would it be to acknowledge and cooperate with God as He only seeks to prosper us beyond belief!
My Prayer:
Father, thank you for your patience, grace and mercy. As I am constantly falling short of your expectations for me, I ask your forgiveness for those things that separate me from Your righteousness. Remove any rebellious and disobedient spirit. Continue to cultivate in me an upright and pure heart so that I am in accordance with Your will. Thank you for using ME to help carry out your plan. God, I love you. AMEN.
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and share a word with the people there. Instead Jonah fled, taking a ship in the opposite direction. A turbulent storm came upon the ship and the crewmen were petrified. They tried all they could to weather the storm, however had no resolution. They cried out to each of their gods looking for solace from the storm, as Jonah lay asleep in the bottom of the boat ...
There are two perspectives that I hope to share on the lesson God shows through the story of Jonah. The first - Jonah 1:5
Your Disobedience Could Be Costly To Those Around You
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. -Jonah 1:5
wares: (7) keli, a "prepared" something, as an implement, tool, weapon, utensil, armor, furniture, sack, vessel, hence, wares (Jonah 1:5).
Not only did Jonah's disobedience cost him the monetary fare of the trip but the people around him had to throw away those preparations that would benefit them on their journey! Now that's costly. Take a moment to think about the people around you. Would you want them to be punished for acts of YOUR disobedience?
God's Will WILL Be Done
Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. -Jonah 1:14
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. -Jonah 1:16
Now, even after Jonah's disobedience he was STILL used to bring people to Christ. Verse 14 and 16 tell us that after their experience with God through Jonah's acts of disobedience, even the crew members came to recognize, reverence, and respect OUR God, the TRUE and living God. We know from Proverbs that this is where it all starts; until you have THAT experience with God you are lost.
Proverbs 1:7
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Jonah was in a fleeting state-he was running from God, but was STILL used to carry out God's plan of reaching the lost. I encourage you brother and sister, don't let your disobedience be costly to those around you; even in the absence of cooperation and alignment with Him, YOU could be used to minister to others. How much sweeter would it be to acknowledge and cooperate with God as He only seeks to prosper us beyond belief!
My Prayer:
Father, thank you for your patience, grace and mercy. As I am constantly falling short of your expectations for me, I ask your forgiveness for those things that separate me from Your righteousness. Remove any rebellious and disobedient spirit. Continue to cultivate in me an upright and pure heart so that I am in accordance with Your will. Thank you for using ME to help carry out your plan. God, I love you. AMEN.
Blessed, in Jesus' Name
No comments:
Post a Comment