Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.' But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. Jonah 1:1 WEBThe word of the Lord came to Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh, but Jonah fled in the opposite direction. God told him to go to Nineveh, but Jonah went to Joppa and then took a ship down to Tarshish. Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) was about five hundred miles east of his home in Gath-heper (2 Kings 14:25). While Tarshish (in southern Spain) was twenty-five hundred miles west. Jonah planned to be three-thousand miles away from where God wanted him to be, as soon as he could get there.
Jonah spent far more time, energy, and money, in doing the exact opposite of what God wanted. As you might guess, trouble followed after him. The Lord told Jonah to do something, but he refused and did the opposite, while fully knowing what God wanted. That is a serious decision. I don't know what causes a man to do that, but I have done similar things myself. We know to do right, just can't seem to do it. As Paul wrote 'For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice' (Romans 7:19).
Jonah's life then fell apart and became a living hell. At his lowest point, when he had been eaten by a fish and was sitting alone in the dark, covered in slime and seaweed, Jonah finally surrendered his life to God and prayed. He reversed his course. He stopped running. Things changed quickly in his life, and when he made it to the beach, the exact same word of the Lord came to him a second time. God's plan had not changed because of Jonah's bad behavior. The word was still 'Go to Nineveh.'
There have been times when I thought that God was finished with me. Yet when I finally turned to Him and prayed, I heard the same word come again. His plan for you is still there, even when you knew what you were supposed to do, and yet did the opposite. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29). The Lord still has a plan and purpose for your life, when you stop running and turn back to Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for having mercy on my life. Forgive me of the times when I have lived contrary to Your will. Lead me, and I will follow. Teach me, and I will learn. Please work Your perfect will in my life and guide me into all that You have for me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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Thank you for this devotional. I relate to the words of Paul and what you shared about wondering if God was just done with you. I want God and fellowship, sometimes I do such willful acts of disobedience. I ask the Lord why I would do this. I am like I did not even put up a fight or call out his name. I usually know when I am in a battle or being tempted, and call out to him. I say Lord, I need you. I am about to cave, help me. He does. I almost felt like i was apathetic and numb and lost my spunk to fight the battle. I am so grateful that I ran straight to him..even though I failed, even though I wanted to grovel and flog myself more until I felt like I somehow paid for it, which is ridiculous. I feel like I am/was just numb and not responding the way I know I need to. I am asking God for wisdom. Fight the good fight.
We all have our jonah moments but god is so great he will never give up on us people give up on god
Amen
Amen Father Thank You for not giving up on me.
Amen!!
Lead us Jesus and we will follow.We love and worship you. Amen
Amen. Thank you Heavenly Father for not giving up on me. Thank you for leading me with your guiding hands. Amen
Guide me dear God. Forgive my sins and have mercy on me. Praise God in the name of Jesus Amen
Amen thank you Lord for always being there I love you!
Lead me lord for l am always want to do your will in jesus name amen
Amen! Thank You Lord that Your Giftings and Callings are without repentance.
Amen. I'm a 68 year old wife, mother, grand and great grandmother. Show me Lord what you want me to do, for my heart wants more of you. Thank you Jesus for all my blessings.
Amen
Heavenly Father I know that I have not followed Your designs at times, give me Your forgiveness. I humbly ask You to talk to me and help me follow through. Without You I'm nothing, lead me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
We need to follow God's designs at all times, thank you Pastor and God bless you and Sylvia.
Amen,
In Jesus name Amen. Man can I relate to this message. The Lord Jesus made himself known to me when I was a child. But, life happens and I let events cause me not care anymore and run away from God. Years later, like the prodigal son; did I come back. But, it was an off again on again relationship. So I thank God for right now.
Yes Lord Jesus, amen and amen
Amen and Amen!!! Thank you Lord Jesus! Thank you, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, Three in ONE, Thy will be done!!!
May Your will be done, Amen.
Amen!