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End of story.
No, it's not. In fact, it's only the beginning of this whale's tale. You see, Jonah is actually angry that the Ninevites are let off the hook... but that's a message for next weekend. The real story begins with YOU, and I.
Do we obey God? Really? There are 613 laws / commands in the Bible, Hebrew and New Testament. Do we actually obey all of them?
Take for instance Matthew 18:15. Do we REALLY go right to the person we think has hurt us, or sinned against us, and talk out the issue that divides us? Or do we instead take our griping to everyone but the one we are angry with just to hear affirmations of why we are angry?
Or how about Matthew 7:1. Is it even possible for you not to judge another sometimes, no matter how hard you might try not to? " Dear Lord, Eva, where did Mary get her hair done...in a barn?"
And if all 613 are too hard for you, how about the two Jesus said trump all the rest? Matthew 12:30-31. Love God first, then love EVERYONE else! There's an easy rule to follow!
We aren't told in either Jonah 1:1-2 or 3:1-2 just what the wickedness is that Jonah is to turn the Ninevites from. However it could well have been just one, or all, of these rules I've just described. After all, God doesn't distinguish between one kind of sin and another. He counts all sin as our choice to separate ourselves from Him.
And how might He decide to destroy you if you don't turn from a behavior that separates you from Him? Easier said than done. He may simply allow you to keep on sinning. That'll destroy you more fullly and faster than any old earthquake or fire from Heaven.
The thing is, though, God loves you , and me. He doesn't want us to choose to be apart from Him. So what do you need to turn from to get back into relationship with your Heavenly Dad?
Be blessed, and don't ever hesitate to ask for prayer.
Pastor Ken
Pastor Ken sends a Weekly Newsletter that includes his devotional message for the week and an update of the current happenings at Hope Church. If you would like to receive his newsletter, just click below and he'll add your email address to his list of subscribers.