Jonah and the Whale
We all know the crazy story of Jonah and the whale. I believe the book of Jonah contains and important message from God to us today. We are in a pivotal time period when God is moving powerfully. We are on the very cusp of a great revival. Ninevah was in the very same position when God told Jonah to “go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before Me.” (v.1:2)
And here we are, Nineveh 2.0… As God always does, before He makes a big move, He brings in the prophets to prepare people for what is getting ready to happen. This is happening all over the world today in an unprecedented way. God is giving people visions and words. They are having prophetic dreams like never before. Today they don’t stand on street corners shouting at they sky (usually), they are writing about it on Facebook and making YouTube videos (God always makes a way to get His message out!). The details are varied but one message is repeated over and over. Get ready, people! A great revival is coming! God is exposing the lies of the enemy, confounding Satan’s plans. God is calling His children back to Himself. This is probably not going to be a smooth, painless process, folks. NOW is the time to seek Him.
Jonah did not obey God’s command to go to Nineveh. He ran the other way, hopped on a ship and skipped town. But God didn’t let him get away with it… He “sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm” that threatened to break up the boat. When the sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for the deadly storm, God made certain that the lot fell on Jonah. That storm was Jonah’s fault and he knew it. He was caught. He told the men to throw him overboard and then “the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (v.1:17)
WOW. We run away from God at our own peril. Sometimes He sends a storm. Sometimes He sends a whale. Sometimes He sends both!
As I read Jonah’s story yesterday, God gave me a word for someone. I don’t know who it is or what the specific circumstances are. But not very many people read my writings so if you are reading it, it might be YOU.
There is someone that God has been speaking to. He has been telling you to do something that you don’t want to do. You KNOW what He is saying but you are scared to do whatever it is. You don’t think anyone will listen to you. You are afraid people will think you are crazy or get mad at you. If this is YOU, then you know it, so please read on. I want to give you some encouragement. (If it isn’t you, please say a quick prayer for whoever it is, thank you!)
I just want to encourage you, whoever you are. I understand the struggle! You may feel that you are lost in a storm. You may feel like Jonah, “deep in the realm of the dead” with the waves swirling around you.
Here is God’s word to you. He hears your prayers and He knows your fears. He heard Jonah’s cry from within the belly of the whale and He hears you cries too. God knows that you WANT to obey but are afraid and it is tearing you apart.
In the belly of the fish, Jonah grappled with his fears. He cried out to God and finally vowed to submit to God’s call. Then God saved him, “and the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” (v.2:10)
God told Jonah again, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (v.3:2) Friend, I believe God has told you more than once. Maybe you think it’s too late to obey. But God says it isn’t too late.
Jonah obeyed God the second time. For three days he went through the city and proclaimed God’s message. And surprisingly, the Ninevites believed God! The entire city, from the king down to the lowliest servant, the ENTIRE CITY fasted and repented!!
This is the rest of God’s message for whoever you are… First of all, take courage! GOD IS GOING TO HELP YOU do whatever this thing is that He has told you to do. HE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH. But you have to first agree to obey. You have to submit to His direction. You have to get started walking to Nineveh!
The second thing is that if you DO obey, and do this thing He has told you to do, it is going to succeed! It is going to be successful beyond anything you could ever predict or imagine.
But FIRST you must obey and get started with it. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!!
