Mission Venture Ministries

“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:7)

Rebellion toward our heavenly Father often takes one of two forms: a bold outright refusal to obey His instructions or a more passive approach of quietly pursuing our own agenda while disregarding biblical commands we don’t like. Whichever direction we take, we can’t silence God. His Spirit’s conviction will follow us, even if we try to fill life with distractions to help us ignore Him.

Jonah’s fear and pride cause him to run from God. He did not wish to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the people, as God had commanded, because he felt that they were his enemies, and was convinced that God would not carry out His threat to destroy the city. Instead he boards a ship for Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction of where he should be going. Soon a raging storm causes the crew to cast lots and determine that Jonah is the problem why they find themselves in that frightening situation. They throw him overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish.

Now in the fishes’ belly he is confined for 3 days and 3 nights. While finding himself in that situation Jonah repents of his sin and the fish vomits him up on dry land. Three days seems a long time to repent, but that is what it took for Jonah.

While being trapped inside the stomach of the fish, he must have been convicted that he better obey God’s command, even though his heart had not changed. He still desired the Ninevites’ destruction, and his bitterness and reluctance was present in spite of his righteous actions.

Throughout this ordeal Jonah discovered that no one can run from God. He also realized God was with him everywhere he went. “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:24).  Even in the stomach of the great fish, God knew where Jonah was and could hear his prayer (Jonah 2:2).

This is something important that we all need to keep aware of because most believers forget this precious promises that we have from the Lord, that He is with us always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

After Jonah found himself back on dry land he makes the long 500-mile trip to Nineveh and God brought a great revival to that wicked city. Their response to His warning should have made Jonah ecstatic, but because Nineveh and Israel were enemies, he became angry and showed displeasure over their repentance and God’s mercy on them.

Jonah however, learns his lesson quickly when God uses a wind, a gourd, and a worm to teach him that He is a merciful God.

What we must understand is that God is willing to pursue us and that it can involve stripping away diversions and bringing negative consequences to get our attention. He is a loving heavenly Father who disciplines us if we continue down the road of disobedience. 

The Lord was with Jonah and He is likewise with us, but whether our relationship feels tense or peaceful depends on our willingness to do what He says. Let’s use Jonah’s example as encouragement to obey promptly rather than waste time running away and suffering the consequences.

If you’ve ever tried to ignore the Lord’s commands or silence the Holy Spirit’s conviction, you’ve probably learned the same lesson Jonah did. He disliked God’s instructions and attempted to avoid the unwanted assignment by running away. But He soon discovered that you can never outrun God.

We must understand that we cannot hide from God. What He wishes to accomplish through us will come to pass, despite all our objections and procrastination. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that He has plans for us and will see to it that we conform to those plans. How much easier it would be if we, unlike Jonah, would submit to Him without delay!

Our task as Christians is to be the instrument by which God tells the world the good news of salvation and to rejoice when they accept the Jesus as their Savior and make him the Lord of their life. This is an experience God wants us to share with Him, and not to be jealous or resentful of those who come to Christ even after having been wretched sinners. Instead we are to rejoice like the angels in heaven.

Here are some facts to think about:

• When God has something to say to you, you need to make yourself available to receive it and then obey it.
• Don’t let fear sabotage the mission God has planted in your heart.
• Excuses for being too busy are not a matter of not having enough time; it’s a matter of not having discipline.
• You must die to pride, because it leads to disgrace and in turn be humble which leads to wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
• God will never call you to do something you can’t accomplish.
• Live a life of gratitude and you’ll always be full of joy.
• It’s never too late to be all that God has called you to be.

Remember that we should not run away from God, but run to Him. As Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Perhaps the Lord has called you to serve Him in a way that is personally challenging. As you commit to following the Lord, pray also for a willing heart; and you will find peace and blessing in doing the work when you follow Him with a humble spirit.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

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