Through the Bible in 2021
Bible Readings: Jonah 1-2, Jude, Psalm 140:1–8, Proverbs 30:15–16
Daily Devotional: Jesus or Jonah?
I love the story of Jesus and his disciples in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. As the storm raged all around them and the disciples (some professional fishermen) were panicking in fear for their lives, Jesus was sleeping at the bottom of the boat, trusting fully the power and plan of God. His trust in God allowed him to sleep when others were panicking.
But in today's reading, we encounter another story of one sleeping in a boat while a storm raged and the professionals panicked. This story is completely different, though. Jonah was not trusting God; he was running from God. God had assigned him a duty - to go to Nineveh and minister to the Assyrians a job he did not want to do. He hated them and was more than happy for God to judge them. He knew God would grant repentance to them (as the story ended) and he wanted no part in that. So he ran in the other direction. The judgment of God was being poured out on that boat because of his disobedience, his prejudice, and racial superiority.
Where was Jonah as God's judgment fell? He was asleep in the bottom of the boat! (Jonah 1:5) That's right. There was no conviction or grief or repentance, no sleepless nights of angst over his disobedience, no emotional turmoil or troubled conscience. While the world around him was falling apart and about to be destroyed, he was asleep - without conscience, without conviction, without a care in the world. Perhaps he was like King David, overwhelmed in self-righteous anger about the man who stole another man's sheep until Nathan pointed the finger and said, "You are the man." The men on the boat woke him up and they cast lots until the divine hand pointed at him and said, "You are the man."
Two boats, two sleeping men. One was asleep because he was resting in God. The other was so hard-hearted that he had no concern for the things of God. Which do you think best describes you? Which is the best analogy for your church? For the American Church?
Is it fair to say that too often we are more Jonah than Jesus? We are sleeping while the judgment falls, twiddling our thumbs and walking unconcernedly. If we have money in the bank, are healthy and happy, and our team is winning, what does it matter? It is about me, my life, and my things, so much so that the work of God is of little concern. We are asleep in the bottom of the boat.
Jesus was asleep because he was fully and completely committed to the work of God. He was resting in God and in God's plan. Jonah was asleep because he was so divorced from the work of God and the plan of God that it held no concern for him. We cannot be like Jonah long. God has called us to his Great Commission and if we run from it he will send the Spirit to shake us awake in some way and say, "You are the man." Better to simply cast ourselves into the hands of God and trust completely in him. Better to yield completely to his will, his ways, and his word so that we can live out his purposes.
Father, may I be like Jesus, resting in you and your plan, and not like Jonah, unconcerned with your work in this world.
But in today's reading, we encounter another story of one sleeping in a boat while a storm raged and the professionals panicked. This story is completely different, though. Jonah was not trusting God; he was running from God. God had assigned him a duty - to go to Nineveh and minister to the Assyrians a job he did not want to do. He hated them and was more than happy for God to judge them. He knew God would grant repentance to them (as the story ended) and he wanted no part in that. So he ran in the other direction. The judgment of God was being poured out on that boat because of his disobedience, his prejudice, and racial superiority.
Where was Jonah as God's judgment fell? He was asleep in the bottom of the boat! (Jonah 1:5) That's right. There was no conviction or grief or repentance, no sleepless nights of angst over his disobedience, no emotional turmoil or troubled conscience. While the world around him was falling apart and about to be destroyed, he was asleep - without conscience, without conviction, without a care in the world. Perhaps he was like King David, overwhelmed in self-righteous anger about the man who stole another man's sheep until Nathan pointed the finger and said, "You are the man." The men on the boat woke him up and they cast lots until the divine hand pointed at him and said, "You are the man."
Two boats, two sleeping men. One was asleep because he was resting in God. The other was so hard-hearted that he had no concern for the things of God. Which do you think best describes you? Which is the best analogy for your church? For the American Church?
Is it fair to say that too often we are more Jonah than Jesus? We are sleeping while the judgment falls, twiddling our thumbs and walking unconcernedly. If we have money in the bank, are healthy and happy, and our team is winning, what does it matter? It is about me, my life, and my things, so much so that the work of God is of little concern. We are asleep in the bottom of the boat.
Jesus was asleep because he was fully and completely committed to the work of God. He was resting in God and in God's plan. Jonah was asleep because he was so divorced from the work of God and the plan of God that it held no concern for him. We cannot be like Jonah long. God has called us to his Great Commission and if we run from it he will send the Spirit to shake us awake in some way and say, "You are the man." Better to simply cast ourselves into the hands of God and trust completely in him. Better to yield completely to his will, his ways, and his word so that we can live out his purposes.
Father, may I be like Jesus, resting in you and your plan, and not like Jonah, unconcerned with your work in this world.
Consider God's Word:
Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
Which metaphor better describes your life?
Are you resting in God's power as Jesus did, or are you asleep in spiritual lethargy like Jonah?
Are you resting in God's power as Jesus did, or are you asleep in spiritual lethargy like Jonah?
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