It's fascinating how, at times, we believe we can hide from God. This was exactly what Jonah thought when the Lord gave him a specific instruction. Jonah was told to deliver a warning to the people of Nineveh because of their wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah chose to flee. He boarded a ship bound for Tarshish, heading to the furthest place he could imagine, thinking that perhaps by running away, he could escape God's call. He even went to the lowest part of the ship, believing that God would either not notice or that He would change His mind and choose someone else for the task.
What Jonah failed to understand was that the sovereign God who saw the wickedness in Nineveh and called him to speak to them had the ability to see him wherever he hid. When God has a purpose for you, He will go to great lengths to ensure you fulfill it, even if it means removing you from your comfort zone. God can shift your circumstances and take you out of your circle of friends, all to place you in a position where you will be willing to listen to Him.
Jonah 1:2-3 (NIV)
"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
"But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord."
Are there instructions or tasks that the Lord has given you that you are running away from? Jonah tried to escape, but God pursued him. While Jonah was on the ship, God caused a violent storm that threatened to tear the ship apart. The crew, desperate for answers, cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Even in his disobedience, Jonah knew the storm was because of him, yet he was still asleep, hoping the situation would resolve itself. He even suggested they throw him overboard to calm the storm, perhaps thinking that by surrendering to the sea, he could escape God's pursuit.
But Jonah didn't escape. Instead, God had already prepared a fish to swallow him, and he spent three days in the belly of the fish. Even in the depths of the sea, God saw Jonah. He heard Jonah's prayers, and God’s words remained consistent. When we run from God's calling, it's remarkable how He often reminds us of the last instruction we tried to avoid.
Have you ever felt like delaying or avoiding God's command, thinking He might change His mind or that maybe, just maybe, running away from the people who encourage you will allow you to live life your own way?
But remember, when we choose to live for Christ, we no longer live for ourselves. We are called to live the life of Christ, and God never gives an instruction that will burden or harm us. His plans are always for our good. He equips us with the strength we need to carry out His will.
If God has given you an instruction, trust that you are capable of fulfilling it. With Him, you can do all things.
Stay blessed!
Stay revived!
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