A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek
6 July 2024
Reading From Jonah 1-4
“The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.”
–Jonah 1:11-15
God used the Prophet Jonah even as he was fleeing from obedience. He knew exactly why the storm was raging and the remedy for it. The sailors could be commended for their value of human life. They didn’t want to throw him overboard because from their perspective, Jonah would surely drown. But God had another plan.
Not only did Yahweh, “the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land”[1] rescue His rebellious prophet by way of a great fish, but look at what happens in the hearts of the other men on the ship. They witnessed the Word of God spoken through the prophet come true. At this miracle they feared Yahweh, offered a sacrifice and made vows to Him.
Jonah did not want to obey God by going to Ninevah because the Assyrians had been treacherous to the Israelites. He did not want them to repent because he knew that the Lord would be merciful to them. So here he is on a ship with other men who serve other gods. During the storm they all call on their own idols to no avail.
Johah was a wonderfully successful evangelist when he had absolutely no intention of being one at all. Not only did they pledge themselves to serve Yahweh, the entire city of Ninevah did as well. All one hundred twenty thousand of them. If God could use Jonah in such a powerful way when Jonah didn’t want it, imagine what He can do with willing vessels.
“Lord, I pray that I would obey You when You tell me to do something. I know my life is short in comparison with the history of the world and all eternity, so may I not waste any time on rebellion. Give me the courage and strength I need to do Your work upon the Earth. Holy Spirit, move through me as a willing vessel to shine Your light of truth and share the warmth of Your love. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
–Philippians 2:14-16
[1] Jonah 1:9, Genesis 1
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