“I don’t want to go!” “Why do I have to?” “I won’t have any fun!” “What can I do anyway?” or “I’ll go, but what will I do once I get there? I don’t even speak like them.” We all hesitate when stepping into the unknown. Some do more than hesitate, some run in the other direction! Jonah is our extreme case. God called him to go to Nineveh and preach a message to repent. It’s possible Jonah didn’t even speak the same language as Ninevites. He was a prophet of Israel, they were Assyrian. Jonah really didn’t like the people of the city, as a matter of fact he probably hated them! And God says to go and tell them to repent so that He could show them mercy!
In Colossians 1:16 we are told that “For by him all things were created…” And Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So just as God called Jonah, God is calling you. Hopefully, He hasn’t had to use a giant fish to get your attention! One sentence is all Jonah had to say and over 120,000 people repented and fasted, even the animals had to! What about today? Do you think there is someone who needs to hear about God’s grace and compassion?
Jonah 1:1-4:11
Was Jonah’s attitude in the right place?
How is your attitude? Towards this project, friends, family, etc?
Pray this today: God, today give me clear direction. Holy Spirit, help me deliver the message of forgiveness through my actions and words. Help me today to show the people around me how much you love them! In Jesus name, Amen.
Day 5 of 8 from the 2007 Mission Discovery Devotional
