Runaway Fish Prophet, Part 1

Water lapped against the side of the boat, and the line of passengers slowly moved forward. He glanced over his shoulder. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following him, watching him.

Still nothing there.

He'd been doing this a lot lately.

Jonah took a couple more steps forward. A greedy looking sailor looked him up and down, obviously sizing how much money he was worth before spouting off his price.

"That much?"

"Do you have the money or not."

Jonah held up his hand. "I got it. I got it." He gave the man the money and stepped onto the boat.

He glanced over his shoulder one more time as he walked onto the gangplank.

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Jonah clutched the side of the boat. A blusterous wide tore threw the sails, and he tired to keep his balance. He had been awakened from a comfortable sleep to find this. All around him, men still heaved cargo into the angry waves below.

God had found him.

Based on Jonah 1:1-6

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:7-10

I seem to quote these verses a lot. Sorry guys.  :)

It doesn't matter what we do to try to dissuade it. God's will will be done. He may have to get someone who is willing to do it. He may have to steer us back on coarse. But He will find someone. Question is, will that someone be you?

Don't avoid Nineveh.

Say what now?

Nineveh. Don't avoid it.

Come again?

Jesus didn't avoid hell. He went there directly for us. He stormed those gates, marched into the depths of that crap hole, and took back the right to our souls.

Jesus didn't run away. Why should we?

If we really want to do God's will, that means we don't run from the things that make us upset or scared. Jonah was trying to get away from the presence of God, and he ran away. He got on that boat to try to out run God, but it's not possible to get away from God. He sent a storm to overtake Jonah's boat to show Jonah that.

Guys, God is everywhere. We can't get away from Him. So if He asks you to do something, it will be like a fire in your bones until you do it. Don't run away from God's call. Don't make Him send a storm after you to get you to listen. If we want to follow in Jesus' footsteps, don't be afraid to follow Him.

V. Joy Palmer