Japá ♡♡♡

"But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish" - Jonah 1:3

"Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah, And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights" - Jonah 1: 17

Ever been around little kiddos when they are playing the hide and seek game? Especially the little ones, newly learning the ropes. They are so confused about where to hide, they find some place right in front of you, with hands over the face, as though somehow they are hoping to be invisible all of a sudden. That's the picture that came to mind, when Jonah tried to hide and run away from God. God had asked Jonah to carry his message to the people of Nineveh so they could repent and turn from thier wicked ways, but scripture says Jonah went the opposite direction. It's amusing, but it reminds me of one time when I was struggling with a particular sin in my life. I knew deep down that I had no business being at that particular place that night, but I still went because I wanted to "people please". I ignored the guilt and tug on my conscience so bad, buried it in the sea of "we will be alright after this". That night every problem under the sun came my way, including being locked out of the house for hours in the middle of the night. I knew for sure it was the hand of God. No soothsayer required. sigh

"Why has this awful storm come down on us? they demanded. "who are you? What is your line of work? what Country are you from? What is your nationality?"  Jonah answered "I am Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land" - Jonah 1:8

Jonah was on snooze control [sleeping his problems away, perhaps], down in the hold, when a storm had hit thier ship. The sailors had to ask those questions. Valid indeed. Jonah was the culprit. I love how scripture says that God "had arranged" for him a great fish. Amusing, but also indicates the sure mercies of God, even in our disobedience. Sometimes we are the problem, but even through all of that, God is arranging a vehicle of second chance, if we will make a U-turn. Infact even in all of this, scripture says that the sailors were awestruck by the Lord's great power, and they offered him a great sacrifice and vowed to serve him" - Jonah 1:16. God will always be glorified in any situation still.

This message on a random Saturday, is for the tired, the exhausted and the weary on thier journey of faith. For those who are tempted to blend in, because if feels like short term sacrifices don't pay. Those tempted to compromise, because others who are not as committed appear to be having it better. Sometimes the journey can feel like you are doing the most. It can feel like God sends you on errands that seem confusing. In Jonah's case, he knew that God was a very merciful God and he feared that after he had delivered the message to the people of Nineveh about the impending judgement, they could repent and he would probably appear like a false prophet. The truth is, it is never really about us, but it is always a privilege to be a vessel. God never uses people, only to make a public ridicule out of them. Infact God's glory is such that the vessel will most definitely be impacted. So don't give up, child of God keep pressing on. "

He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day, but he who is battle slain can never rise to fight again" - Oliver Goldsmith

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" - Hebrews 4:12

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there" - Psalm 139:8

Love

SR