RUNNING FROM GOD

Read Jonah Chapters 1-4

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish, so he paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 (NKJV)

Has God ever asked you to do something you did not want to do? Such was the case of Jonah. God called him to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. It wasn’t a task Jonah wanted to do. He tried running from God by boarding a ship to Tarshish. God allowed a great storm resulting in Jonah being thrown overboard. He spent three days and three nights in the belly of a fish. God told the fish to spit him out on land and called him to preach again. He accepts the mission, and the people repent of their evil ways, saving the city.

Many of us are like Jonah. We know what the Lord requires of us, yet we would walk a thousand miles in the opposite direction because of our frivolous ideas and reasonings. Like Jonah, we are blind by our agendas as to why we don’t want to do as God requires of us. Jonah was furious and wanted the people to perish for their evil works. He, however, recognized that God was “a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Chapter 4:2).

 It might be that God calls you to make peace with someone, ask for forgiveness, visit someone who is sick, or help someone undeserving. It is never too late for God to return us from our wrong paths. In every request God makes of us, there is a blessing in store.

Prayer Focus: To follow God’s leading

Prayer: Dear Father, give us the courage and willingness of heart to do your will; in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for Today: God’s Eye Watches Over Me.

Contributor: Ms. Nichole Shaw (Florida, United States)

Screen Editor: Mr. Neil Cummings

Editor:  Mrs. Tyischa Belton