Saturday, January 31, 2004

But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.
(Jonah 1.3 NRSV)

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I can tell you right now if you are a married person that God wants you to be a better husband or wife. If you have children, God wants you to be a better father or mother. I can tell you without much agonizing on my part that God wants you to improve your witness in the community. God wants you to share out of your abundance with others. God wants you to be a vital part of the life of this church. Most of us already know God's will for us. The problem is surrendering ourselves to what God wants us to do.

Jonah knew what God wanted him to do. God wanted Jonah to conduct revival services over in Ninevah. He wanted Jonah to tell the people of Ninevah to shape up or ship out. It's the kind of message I need.

Jonah knew what God wanted him to do. Knowing God's will was not the problem. It never is. DOING God's will is the problem. JONAH DECIDES TO RUN. He decides to escape--to get on board a ship headed in the opposite direction from Ninevah, a ship bound for Tarshish. The author of this little book tells us that Jonah was fleeing from the presence of the Lord. He was not the first to do that--nor the last.

Stop running from God and learn to run with God.

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Dear God, forgive me and help to run with you, as I work to help your people. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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