jonah

There is a song called by Ian McIntosh called Fully Loved... and I just cannot stop listening to it. The title is pretty literal... we are fully loved by God. I pray this is encouraging and that you have a renewed sense of God's love for you.

I recently read through Jonah in the Bible, and honestly, I think it is the first time I have ever read the book. Most people have heard the "story" of Jonah enough times... maybe even too many. But, do we read and discover the historical event for ourselves, in God's word? I think this applies to many Bible stories. We just hear the story and think we know everything, but scripture is so much more than words... or stories for this matter. The Creator of the Universe wants each of us to receive revelation through these powerful, dynamic historic events.

"But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his God. And they hurled cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them" (Jonah 1:4-5).

In the midst of Jonah's disobedience, the Lord sends a great storm to the seas. Jonah's disobedience to the Lord not only affected him, but everyone else aboard the ship, not to mention the other ships on the sea at that time. So naturally, in the midst of catastrophe each mariner tries to gain comfort, or resolve the situation by crying out to their own gods. Even today, we cry to false gods for comfort... we cling to idols for artificial love. We think that money will make things better... or music, or sex, etc. God is the only giver or TRUE satisfaction, love, truth, peace. In the midst of struggle we should cling to Him. And, when we are walking in disobedience, we have to repent... we have to totally resolve the situation. The mariners thought the ship would ride the waves a little better if it was a bit lighter... so they tossed over the cargo, in hope of peace.

We try to deal with struggle the same way the mariners did... as Jonah did... thinking that partial resolution will ease the pain. But until we come to the point of total repentance... and we stop beating around the bush, the storm only gets worse. Cry out to the God of the Universe for refuge, and don't think that the many temporary gods or idols of this world will better the situation.

"So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lords and made vows" (Jonah 1:15-16). I think this is so true... others realized the faithfulness of God and repent and give their life to him. God even used this situation to redeem the souls of the mariners.