A storm, a great fish, some sackcloth, and a hungry worm: The story of Jonah (Part 3)

For the month of August we are looking at the book of Jonah. Today we will study Jonah 3.

from fcnewburgh.com

Read: Jonah 3

Jonah finally brings his message to Nineveh. And even though you weren’t around to hear it, you’ve seen Jonah’s style of work. You’ve seen it on an angry picketer’s flimsy cardboard sign: “Repent or perish!” You’ve seen it along the highway, stretched anonymously over an advertising billboard: “Avoid hell, trust Jesus!”

Jonah was that guy. His half-hearted message to the people of Nineveh had about as much love in it as a pitbull has for a squirrel. And yet, after only one day of listening to one of the worst sermons ever preached, the entire city of Nineveh was unbelievably transformed. The people believed God and repented, even the king.

The only thing Jonah had going for him in his “service” to the Lord was obedience. His response-time was slow. His attitude was bad. His delivery was uncaring. Yet despite Jonah’s approach, the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the people and God showed incredible mercy.

Fifth lesson of Jonah: God can use even the most half-hearted service.

Sixth lesson of Jonah: God is merciful (to the Ninevites, to Jonah, and to us).

Dear God, I am embarrassed of my mediocre service to You. Help me to learn Your heart. Make me quick to obey. Give me love for Your people. Change my attitude to be more like Yours. And thank you so much for including me in Your work. Amen.

Further readings: Matthew 9:10-13; Micah 6:6-8; Psalm 85

 

 

 

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A storm, a great fish, some sackcloth, and a hungry worm: The story of Jonah (Part 2)

For the month of August we are looking at the book of Jonah. Today we will study Jonah 2.

from fcnewburgh.com

Read: Jonah 2

Last we left Jonah, he survived the storm but is now trapped inside a smelly fish belly. As much as he would rather have died than obey God, God had other plans.

from mdchurch.us

Chapter 2 is the prayer that Jonah prayed when he realized he couldn’t ditch God. It’s not a perfect prayer. (Once you know the whole story of Jonah, you’ll see why.) But God doesn’t mind our imperfect prayers. In fact, He asks for them.

Jonah starts by summarizing his day. “There was a pretty big storm. I’m guessing that was from You, God. I ended up drowning. That sucked pretty bad. I thought for sure You were sending me away forever. But now I realize You were actually saving me. Thank you, I guess.”

Philip Yancey in his book, Prayer, talks about how prayer is really just keeping company with God. We keep company with God by talking with Him. We share with Him all of ourselves – our hopes, our dreams, our thanks, our requests, our complaints, everything. Then in turn, we find out more of who He is and what His plans are for us and for those around us.

Jonah’s prayer reveals everything about his day and shows what he’s learning about God. The prayer concludes with the great fish vomiting Jonah onto dry land. For most people, being fish vomit might be a low. But for Jonah, it’s a second chance to learn God’s will. And not only to learn God’s will, but to learn more about the very heart of God.

Third lesson of Jonah: Keep company with God.

Fourth lesson of Jonah: He promises to hear you…and you may even learn a few things along the way.

Dear God, I seem to pray best when I am at my lowest. Help me keep company with you every day, not just when things are rough. Teach me Your ways and Your heart, oh God of my salvation. Amen.

Further readings: Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 145:18-19

 

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A storm, a great fish, some sackcloth, and a hungry worm: The story of Jonah (Part 1)

Hello again! I was on vacation for two weeks and have missed our Monday mornings together. It’s good to be back.

For the month of August we will study Jonah. The book of Jonah contains four chapters, so we will study a chapter a week. This week we will start with Jonah 1.

from fcnewburgh.com

Read: Jonah 1

Even when you try to ditch God, His purpose is still accomplished. That should make you feel either relieved or scared to death.

Jonah is the only prophet to try and ditch God. He ends up accomplishing God’s task for him (sort of). But he really only accomplishes it by the pure grace of God Himself. He’s a perfect hero for the likes of us.

I love this story because first of all, God doesn’t allow himself to be ditched. The storm and the great fish make that very clear. And second of all, God turns Jonah’s humiliating situation into a witness for God’s glory.

The mariners that were taking Jonah across the sea were not believers. When the storm arose and they saw the ship was about to break into pieces, they each cried out to their own gods. That only made the storm worse. Finally, they realized Jonah was to blame. But even then, they didn’t want to hurt him.

But Jonah convinced them to begrudgingly throw him into the sea. The moment Jonah hit the water, the raging storm ceased. And those terrified mariners feared the Lord, offered sacrifices to Him, and committed themselves to God.

First lesson of Jonah: You cannot hide from God.

Second lesson of Jonah: God accomplishes His purposes with or without you…and sometimes He drags you along kicking and screaming.

Dear God, I know You can accomplish Your will without me, but I want to be a willing part of Your plans, both for me and for those around me. Help me to resist the urge to ditch You when I am afraid. Give me the strength to follow You even when the task is hard. Amen.

Further readings: Psalm 65:5-8; Luke 19:37-40; Isaiah 46:8-11; Isaiah 55:11

 

 

 

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