Jonah was a prophet. His duty was to preach the word
to the sinners. Jonah didn’t like the Assyrians, he wanted God’s judgment to
destroy them. Jonah ran from God. God’s plan prevailed even through Jonah’s
disobedience. His days in the whale were traumatic for him. He lost all his
coloring.
Difficult experiences come in many degrees. A trauma
would be considered a situation far beyond control, one that shakes a person to
the core. Trauma can lead to mental disorders or suicide. Recovery is often
slow; flashbacks are common. As difficult as traumatic experiences are, they
can lead a person to God.
Jonah had been called to go east to Nineveh to
prophesy to the Assyrians; instead, he jumped on a ship and went west. Although
he was acting in direct disobedience to God, he fell sound asleep on the ship.
His conscience may not have bothered him, but God soon did. God knew that His
reluctant prophet would need a traumatic experience to turn him around,
literally. When a fierce storm tossed the ship and threated to kill all on
board, Jonah knew the reason for the storm and the solution. “Pick me up and
throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you. I know this great
tempest is because of me.” He told the crew and they reluctantly complied.
Immediately a great fish swallowed Jonah. God spared
his life because He still had work for Jonah to do. Trauma upon trauma
eventually caused Jonah to pray, “I cried out to the Lord because of my
affliction, and He answered me.” And this conversation with God led Jonah to
promise to obey, “I will pay what I vowed.” Then God rescued Jonah and gave him
the opportunity to fulfil his promise.
Traumatic experiences can drive people away from God
or to Him. In both cases, a person may ask, “Why would God do this to me?”
Those who turn from God ask the question in anger and accusation. Those who
turn to God ask the question to learn His lesson for their lives. When
traumatic experiences come, turn to God, not away. As Jonah learned: “When my
soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You,
into Your Holy temple.”
Jonah didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness. God had said,
“Go” and Jonah had run away. Not until Jonah sank to the gloomy depths and
faced certain death did he cry out to God. Mercifully and miraculously, God
answered. God saves the undeserving – whether a pagan nation or a wayward
individual.
Please read
the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed
any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon
McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.
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