MON 24 JUL
A PERFECT STORM
READ Jonah 1:4 Psalm 115:1-18
FOCUS But the Lord sent a strong wind over the Mediterranean Sea. A wild storm came up. Jonah 1:4
God is not resisted easily. The fugitive prophet’s cruise away from his calling turned into a battle for survival, as a great storm overwhelmed the ship: the language in the Hebrew text paints a picture of God ‘hurling' the perfect storm at the ship in the same way a spear is thrown. God has the weather firmly under control (Psa. 135:7) – it’s just His people who offer more resistance. So why did God insist on pursuing Jonah? If the runaway wasn’t interested in accepting the Nineveh assignment, then presumably there were others who would quickly step forward to become God’s ambassador to the Assyrians. But for whatever reason, Jonah was the chosen instrument for this task. Sometimes we resist God’s call because we feel inadequate, or because it will cause too much disruption; we have other plans. The Lord was passionate that Jonah be a man of destiny. Even though the moment was overshadowed by anger and petulance, Jonah was being steered by God to walk into his finest hour – the potential exhilaration of seeing an entire city, from the king down to the domestic pets, turn towards the Lord en masse. Each one of us was designed for purpose; God invites us, not to merely chase after our small ambitions, but to play our unique part in His kingdom plan. God cares deeply that we reach our potential. Our reluctance to serve Him doesn’t create a mere raised eyebrow in heaven, but a wounded heart. He doesn’t easily take no for an answer. Prayer: Father, I want to learn to really live. What plans have You written over my life? Amen. 25
