Road to Spiritual Growth

Running Away From God

(credits to the original author)

Most of us know the story about Jonah, a man whom God called to go to Nineveh and warn the people God was going to destroy them if they didn't repent. 

Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh so he found a ship going in the opposite direction. 

What happened? A fierce storm raged and the sailors wondered why God was doing this to them. Jonah finally confessed he was the problem. 

The Book of Jonah is in the Old Testament and has 4 short chapters that can be read in less than 30 minutes.

1. Jonah's action of running from God put other peoples' lives at risk. 

They were innocent strangers who faced death at sea. The sailors didn't want to throw Jonah overboard. They actually tried to save his life, but finally had to accede to Jonah's plan to throw him into the sea to quiet the storm. If you are running from God, whose lives are you affecting? Perhaps close friends or family that depend upon you.

2. God had a plan to save Jonah from himself.

 God provided a great fish, probably a whale to swallow Jonah whole. (I am not going to discuss the scientific evidence because the fish is NOT the point of the story). Jonah spent 3 days inside the belly of that creature. Jonah's fear made him cry out to the Lord. Jonah said: "What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9). 

Sometimes God has to send trials into our life to get our attention and make us come to our senses. When you cry out to the Lord to save you, He will. He is a loving God, full of compassion and mercy. 

Now Jonah obeys God and goes to Nineveh to proclaim the word of the LORD. The people repent and the whole city acknowledges Jehovah is the true God and they give up their evil ways (3:10). Now you would think that Jonah would rejoice. Wrong!

3. Jonah was angry that the people repented and God was going to save the city. 

He wanted God to destroy them because of the evil they had done to Israel years ago. He held a grudge. Although Jonah was obedient to God's command, his heart was not obedient. God's heart is to show compassion and mercy to sinful people. 

Do you show mercy and compassion? Jonah reluctantly acknowledged that God is slow to anger and abounding in love (4:2). We need to emulate God not Jonah. Jonah was so depressed he wanted to die. 

Have you ever experienced the desire to die? Seek help from a professional counselor and the Lord. God will save you in spite of your attitude. He will help you overcome your emotions. God loves you and wants the best for you. God loved Jonah AND the Ninevites.

4. Jonah went to find a place to sulk. 

God caused a large vine to grow up overnight to shelter Jonah and shade him during the day. Then a worm came and destroyed the vine. Jonah was very sad. He cared more about that vine than human life! He was fine with God destroying the Ninevites, but not his vine. This demonstrates such a hard heart. 

Do we care more about things than people? Jonah had his priorities all wrong. He was not physically running from God anymore, but his heart was still running away.

When we refuse to see the world and its people from God's perspective and we are rebellious against God, we pay a price – an emotional and mental price. 

We should find comfort and joy in God's loving character. 

All people benefit from God's compassion and mercy because all can accept God's offer of salvation through Jesus' death on the cross for our sins. He took the punishment for me and you. Such love!

Today's Spiritual Supplement: Turn towards God and see life from His perspective. It will change your heart.