6/9/2020
Desk of Dennis PillerJonah ran… so he could say NO to God.You know there are a lot of reasons that I like Jonah. Have you ever got caught up in yourself? You wanted to do what you wanted to do? … And it didn’t matter what anybody else said. Even if it was God? In the belly of a fish, Jonah re-committed himself to the Lord. When was the last time that you were disobedient and found yourself in such an extreme situation? I’m sure, if you stopped for a minute you could find one or two. I’m not sure when those things happened to me that I ever thought that I was actually disobeying a direct edict from God. However, His word is forever before us. His word is very clear and just because I don’t know what it is… doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an effect.
I have a dear friend who put together a program for educating children in middle and high school. Specifically listing the laws that are in the state that people have no idea that they’re there. The fact remains that the laws are still intact. And if you break any of them you will be going to jail. Even though many of those laws had been on the books for over 100 years and no one even knew they were still there.
When I started to think about how that correlates to God’s word and His words of truth. He said that none of his words will return void. Is 55:11 That means that when we violate a commandment or a law of God, there will be repercussions. The dominoes will fall! Even though we may think we got away with it for a while. God is not mocked!
The end of this chapter even tells us what Jonah’s motives were. He didn’t want the job because he was afraid that the Ninevites might actually repent. (What?) They were a real enemy to the Jewish people and he wanted God to destroy them. He admitted it. So, in order to get away from God’s command to go there, he fled to Tarshish. Jonah 4:2.
When God relented Jonas trip became a historical success for everybody… but him.
We all resist God’s will for a lot of reasons. We often say no to obedience because we don’t like what could potentially happen. Or what pleasure we will lose. We certainly have lost sight of the things that are above and have become immersed in our own wants and desires.
It’s pure unadulterated selfishness! So can I ask you during these times of isolation what is keeping you from obeying the Lord? Maybe we’re so angry with our spouse or one of our family members that we don’t even want reconciliation. Maybe we are so over the top with one of our prodigal children that we don’t even wanna think about extending a hand of peace and grace and love. Or we are so angry for our financial situation we are angry at everyone. We have completely forgotten not to be ruled by our feelings no matter how much to the core they are. Bottom line. God expects obedience. And one of the things that I love about God is how He so often surprises me and blesses me because I was obedient and listened to his written word. Take a moment and examine yourself and know God already knows and loves you. He wants you to come home.
Lord search my heart. Give me the courage to stand and pray. I ask forgiveness for ________. I don’t want to carry this anymore. Thank you for calling me home.
Josh Bates You Never Gave UP On Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k45iSliZN-E
