Apr 52 min read

Day 353 - Jonah's Resistance of God's Will Was Futile

Jonah's resistance to God's will was futile, as is ours when God needs us.

So, crying to the Lord, they said, Give ear to our prayer, O Lord, give ear, and do not let destruction overtake us because of this man's life; do not put on us the sin of taking life without cause: for you, O Lord, have done what seemed good to you.

So they took Jonah up and put him into the sea: and the sea was no longer angry.

Then great was the men's fear of the Lord; and they made an offering to the Lord and took oaths to him.

And the Lord made ready a great fish to take Jonah into its mouth; and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. (Jonah 1.14-17 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Sometimes, we may hear the voice of God asking or suggesting that we do something. We may or may not recognize him and must be told many times. There may also be times when we do not want to do what we are asked to do. Jonah had that experience. God asked him to go to Nineveh to preach against those who lived there. Jonah refused, and all went elsewhere. God punished Jonah and all around him. Have you ever felt that you were to do something, yet you did not do it? What happened? Did you ever wind up doing it? Was your life affected? Were those around you impacted? Jonah's resistance to God's will was futile, as is ours when God needs us.

The voice of God, the Holy Spirit, is real. Listen carefully, and you will hear him in your heart. He is the source of all wisdom, understanding, and compassion. It is we humans who refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the voice of evil prevents us from hearing our Lord. Does the noise of evil prevent you from hearing our Father? Rarely will our Lord shout; instead, it is in the sweet whisper his voice can be found because he allows you space for your decision.

Prayer:

Holy Father, please let me hear your voice clearly and with anticipation. Let me hear and act on your whispers. I love you and my life. I can see, find, and hear you throughout my life, and I am grateful. Please save me from my worldliness and help me to serve you and your kingdom. I pray in Jesus Christ's name. Amen