On the Run . . .
Lessons in Whale Watching
by David Jeremiah

Are you running from God? Wherever you end up, He is already there. In Jonah's case, God prepared a great fish to rescue, return, reach, and recommission him.

God's whale rescued Jonah from drowning. Have you ever thought of it that way? The Lord had told Jonah to travel to Nineveh, the capital city of the evil Assyrians. Unwilling, Jonah fled in the other direction. When his ship was caught in a great storm, he was thrown overboard. He was hundreds of miles from shore, and the Mediterranean was very deep. But God wasn't finished with him yet.

The Lord will send discipline when we don't obey. It's to be dreaded, yet welcomed; for the very discipline we fear is the very thing that may save us. It will keep us from drowning in the cruel ocean of our own disobedience.

That whale also became God's submarine to take Jonah on to Nineveh. When you're God's child, be sure He will get His purpose accomplished. You go willingly or kicking and screaming. Why not willingly? God's plan for us is better than anything we could think of. Sometimes we think we know better than God. But God says, "I know my plans for you. They are good, righteous, and will bring joy to your heart. Now if you don't want to fulfill My plan willingly, go do your thing; and I'll send a whale by-and-by."

Isn't it interesting that when the whale spit out Jonah, the prophet found himself as close to Nineveh as the whale could get? The Lord took Jonah where he needed to go.

Now do you think God had Jonah's attention? Perhaps you have been through a period of misery as God sought your attention. He has whales everywhere. The belly of the fish was a divinely-designed school room for the wayward prophet. It wasn't an ideal classroom by current standards. It was slimy and unattractive with poor ventilation and no light. But Jonah was there in utter seclusion, and the Lord had his undivided attention.

By the third day, Jonah realized the foolishness of running away from God; and he began to pray.

It's interesting how God has to work on us to make us people of prayer. I'm coming to the place where I just begin my prayers by telling God how needy I am. Even when I don't feel it, I'm just going to acknowledge His Lordship because I don't want to go on any excursions. My bout with cancer taught me the importance of giving each day to the Lord in perfect submission. Every day belongs to Him, and He has just the work I'm to do every morning, noon, and night. Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Sometimes afflictions are God's way of working in our hearts.

God's ultimate purpose for Jonah wasn't just to save him from drowning. God had a plan for his life, and He wanted that plan worked out. I find myself focusing over and over on the longsuffering of God. Aren't you glad He's a patient God? He is faithful to us even when we are unfaithful. Jonah had failed, but God had not failed-nor would He. God just taught Jonah a never-to-be-forgotten lesson, then recommissioned him and sent him to conduct the greatest revival in Old Testament history.

Think of it! Jonah went through Nineveh preaching a simple sermon, and virtually the entire city repented of its sins. It was a remarkable spiritual awakening. Nineveh was one of the worst cities in biblical history; yet under Jonah's ministry everyone from king to commoner repented in sackcloth and ashes, seeking God's grace and forgiveness.

That's the way the Lord can use failures.

Have you slipped away from God? Are you on the run? Is a portion of your life in rebellion against His plan? Don't spend your life whale-watching. Repent! Obey God; let Him be Lord of all. Turn back to Him with all your heart, and trust Him to use you in an incredible way.

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This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah's devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your complimentary copy of Turning Points.

Sunday, March 15, 2009