October 25, 2021 | Jonah 1

Read Jonah 1

Scripture- Jonah 1:3-  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.

Observation- Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and preach against it. The Lord wanted to bring his Word to that city that the people might repent and turn to him. Jonah hears the Lord’s command and instead of listening to it, he runs.

Application- Do I listen to the Lord or am I a runner too? The Lord has told me to forgive others, yet how often don’t I run to my house and fill up with bitterness? The Lord tells me to keep other people’s reputations good even if they’ve wronged me. Yet how often don’t I run immediately to a friend and trash that person’s name? The Lord calls me to live in peace, to repent, and apologize. Yet, how often don’t I pridefully run from that person and fail to say I’m sorry? The bad news is I’m a runner. The good news is the Lord is a much faster runner. Just like he came after Jonah, the Lord comes after me. He leads me to repentance and turns me from my sinful ways. He builds me up in His love and forgiveness. Then he sends me out again to carry out his commands. 

Prayer- Father in heaven, I praise and thank you that you run after me. You don’t let me go, but in your mercy you come to chase me down. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Let me see how your way is always the best way. Instead of running from you, let me run to you that I may carry out your commands today. Amen.