Affecting Others Negatively
26th APRIL 2022
“Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.” Jonah 1:7 NLT
The story of Jonah is quite well known to the average Christian. God called on Jonah to go and rebuke the people of Nineveh and proclaim their downfall. Yet Jonah, knowing the nature of God, knew that if the people repented upon hearing of their doom, God will forgive them and not bring any harm their way.
Hence, Jonah decided that the purpose to which he was called was futile and not worth the effort. Then he did something which is quite humorous for someone who allegedly knew God — Jonah attempted to run from God!
As the story goes, he boards a ship that was going in a different direction than the land and the people he was called to. When the ship was out at sea, God caused a violent storm to be. Jonah had attempted to flee his purpose and in doing so be put in danger the people of the ship and even furthermore the people of Nineveh.
The danger he put the people in on the ship is apparent. They were in physical danger of losing their lives or getting injured. In fact, the storm they faced was so violent that despite their reticence, they threw Jonah into the sea to save themselves (Jonah 1:13). His disobedience put many’s lives at stake.
Yet even in this turbulent situation, God was teaching us a lesson on obedience even when we don’t understand the situation. The men on the ship had to throw Jonah overboard in order to calm the storm. They resisted doing it and tried to save themselves. But ultimately they had to see that although they didn’t understand the directive or how it is beneficial, they simply had to trust God and do as He says.
So with a prayer, they obeyed and lo and behold God proved himself true, the storm calmed and Jonah was provided for until eventually he was brought to the purpose he had tried to run from.
When you’re faced with a direct directive from God, all that He requires is for you to simply obey. That is all He requires from us, don’t worry about how He will do it or when. Simply obey. Trust that He will prove Himself true to all involved. Consider also that your disobedience may be dangerous to others around you.
Heavenly Father, thank You, for giving my life a purpose that serves as a blessing to others. Help me to fulfil my purpose in obedience to You, so that others do not suffer loss because of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Reading: Jonah 1:7 — 10
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles [24–27]
