Jonah 1:1-4
‘The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the LORD.
However, the LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea, so that the ship was about to break up.’
The Lord’s mercies are so rich. Here he asks Jonah to share his good news with Nineveh and he runs in the opposite direction. He’s in disobedience. He’s not just saying “No”, but goes contrary to where he’s told. That’s an emphatic, strong “No”.
God could just let him run. But He is His son. If he continued to harden his heart, like pharaoh, then, He would oblige. But He is going to put up some Fatherly resistance. Thank You, Father, for this. We are hurting ourselves here. Thank You, for Your love and mercy.
Psalm 139:7-10 illustrates this, “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.” God, You are so amazing. Thank You for this persistence. You fight for us. Even though we often seek our own destruction, You are there. You block paths, You open doors.
You have saved us from so much. I’m sure we’ve been saved from 90% that we are unaware of. You don’t seek credit. You just love. You are a good, good Father.
Thank You, Lord, for rescuing us, for being patience with us.