Lindsey

The Testimony of Jonah

Our story today focuses on another powerful biblical human testimony, Jonah. God told Jonah to “arise and go to Nineveh.” The city of Nineveh was not a pleasant place. It is said to be the location of modern day Iraq. Not pleasant before, not pleasant now. We know Jonah feared whatever was currently taking place there because instead of being obedient to God’s command, he ran the opposite direction, optimistic God would change His mind. It says in the first chapter of Jonah he, “rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:3).

After getting on a boat to flee to Tarshish from Joppa, God caused a great storm to disrupt Jonah’s journey. If you are familiar with geography, think of the distance equivalent to that of modern day Israel to Spain. Quite the journey across the Mediterranean Sea.

Jonah 1:5

“Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.”

Jonah fell asleep maybe hoping to be forgotten. After being woken up by the captain of the ship, Jonah recognizes the storm is God’s way of communicating responsible for the calamity befalling those onboard. He acknowledges his disobedience and it becomes apparent that God isn’t going to find someone else.

Jonah 1:15

“So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.”

Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and he stayed in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Certainly this allowed Jonah time to think upon his actions. Eventually he felt exceedingly remorseful for dishonoring God. In chapter two he speaks beautiful words to God and ends with the proclamation, “Salvation belongs to the Lord!” (Jonah 2:10). God accepts Jonah’s cry of repentance and allows the fish to vomit Jonah up onto dry land.

God told Jonah a second time to go preach to the people of Nineveh and this time Jonah obeyed. After a long journey to walk there, Jonah told the people God would destroy them if they continued sinning. The people became afraid began fasting, asking God to forgive them. The people of Nineveh turned away from their evil deeds and God decided not to destroy the inhabitants of the city which exceeded 120,000.

The irony of Jonah’s story is all the while we read it, we shake our heads in disbelief of how in his “stupidity” he ignores God, yet we are all the same. We all run away from God. Sometimes in obvious ways, God says, “Become a Missionary,” or “DON’T DO THAT,” you say, “It’s too scary,” “I’m not smart enough” or my personal favorite, “I know what I’m doing.” Certainly if we knew what we were doing, God wouldn’t be telling us to do things differently. Sometimes His voice is more subtle, “Pray for that woman,” “Invite your neighbor to church,” “Buy that homeless man food.” We ignore the voice of God far too frequently. We fear others may perceive us as weird, dumb or even completely reject us. Ultimately you have to ask yourself, “Who’s opinion is important?” We will all stand before God once day and answer for every single thing we did or didn’t do. Don’t dwell on missed opportunities from the past, use those disobedient experiences as motivation to listen and act the next time God tosses you a line. Ask for those opportunities and He will deliver. Imagine God in front of you in those moments and ignore the confused stares or weird looks from those around you. You might even be surprised at the positive responses you receive from people when approaching them as God’s hands and feet. His voice will give you courage and His words will come to mind.

Luke 12:11-12

“Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

With a willing heart, say yes to God and let Him use you in might ways.

The Testimony of Paul

It is a common spiritual emotion to feel inadequate, the feeling we as Christians get, that we will never be good enough to be used by God. Although this is a natural human feeling, it is not biblical or from God our Father in any way. It is important for us to recognize those thoughts and feelings when they surface, but it is even more important to note if we are willing and obedient, God can use anyone to accomplish anything. There are many extraordinary examples of ordinary people in the bible God used for mighty Kingdom works. I bet these people never thought themselves worthy of grace or even cared to have it, but God cares for the path of every sinner.

Saul of Tarsus

One of the most notorious of all Christian haters was a man we know by the name of Saul. In Acts 9, we are introduced to Saul, a ruthless Pharisee and a malicious persecutor of Christians. His task was to seek out those following Jesus Christ, put them on trial in hopes to convict them of Christ following and be sentenced to death. Think of him in modern day terms as what we would call, a terrorist. Hopefully this gives you a clear image to describe the magnitude of how vile he was.

Acts 9: 1-2

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Saul did not fear religious leaders. He sought out the support of the High Priest to be granted permission to seek followers of Jesus, so they could be brought back to Jerusalem to face the ultimate penalty for it, death.

God knew that Saul was doing everything in his own human power to thwart His righteous plans. God could have let Satan continue to influence Saul’s actions, but instead of condemning him, He saved then used him.

Acts 9: 3-9

“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “SAUL, SAUL, WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I AM JESUS, WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING. BUT RISE AND ENTER THE CITY, AND YOU WILL BE TOLD WHAT YOU ARE TO DO.”

After this miraculous event, God gave Saul specific instructions. Saul was led by his men since the light from heaven had caused him temporary blindness. It wasn’t until finding Annias, the man God told Saul to go to, that his sight was restored. The Lord also tells Saul part of this life change is the sufferings he is set to endure for the Lord’s namesake. At once, we see how Saul has changed.

Acts 9:20-22

“And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

Before Saul’s blinding conversion on the road to Damascus, he wasn’t worried about God having the final say in his life. Saul was doing what he thought profitable, condemning to death all who believed in Christ, yet we see how God had mercy on him. Saul was given a new name after his conversion, Paul. This man went on to do much and suffer much for the sake of His and Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament books and they are filled with boldness, conviction and unwavering passion for His life’s purpose and challenging others to live with that same intensity for Christ.

It reminds me that no matter the decisions I have made that may have strayed me from the hand of God, I was never out of His reach. It also reminds me of the excitement and obvious change others should see in my life because of my faith in Christ and decision to follow Him. I pray that after learning Paul’s story, you feel encouraged to stop fighting God. Regardless of the sins you have committed, God has already provided you with a way out. Your excuses are futile and they cannot measure up to the love Jesus has already bestowed upon you. You have two choices; reject Him or proclaim Him. Either way, God has already won the battle over your sins by dying on the cross.