May 1, 2006

The Word May 1, 2006
The Story & Lessons of Jonah


-The book of Jonah starts with God telling Jonah to “arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for there wickedness is come before me,” (Jonah 1:2). Jonah did the exact opposite of what God told him to do; he “rose up and flee unto Tarshish from the presences of the Lord,” (Jonah 1:3).
-The first part of this story is interesting because that is what many of us are doing today. We are running from the presences of the Lord. Wherever there is God’s spirit, we try not to be. Remember, “And the Lord said, My spirit will not always strive with man,” (Genesis 6:3). So, we need to embraces God while he is still calling us.
-I believe that people run from the presence of God because they don’t understand God and this lack of understanding places fear in their hearts. 1 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.” Lord, please remove the spirit of fear from me and cause me not to run from your presence.
-Later this week we will come back to running from the presence of the Lord.