THURSDAY May 11, 2023
Joppa and the Jonah Connection
“Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:5-8
Joppa is a familiar place. This is where Jonah boarded a ship to Tarshish to escape the call of God: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me” (Jonah 1:2). But who can escape from the presence of God? The Lord caused a storm and those on the ship were fearful. Jonah let them know he was the reason for the storm, and he told them to throw him overboard. Reluctantly, they did! The storm stopped the moment Jonah sank into the depth of the sea. God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1).
There in the belly of a big fish, Jonah swished around as if in a washing machine––slushing up and down! Imagine seaweed all wrapped around his head, and it is believed he had turned white. It still took him three days to give up and submit to the will of God! Dr. McGee believes Jonah had actually died and resurrected. The big fish spewed Jonah out onto the beach. The vomited preacher was right where God wanted him to be––Nineveh! (Jonah 2).
God’s command came a second time to Jonah: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you” (Jonah 3:2). Jonah traveled three days to the center of the city of Nineveh and gave the people who lived there the shortest sermon ever preached: “Repent or burn!” In Jonah’s heart he wanted to see these people fried. He waited to see the fireworks, but the Gentile king and all the people repented.
Are you trying to run away from the call of God on your life? Surrender and be obedient to His call. There are so many people who still need to be saved.
Preach with authority. The authority for us is the Word of God. Preach with simplicity ... preach with urgency... heaven and hell are at stake. Preach for a decision.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
