Jonah 1 begins with Jonah getting an assignment from the Lord. Jonah did not accept the message nor did He want to deliver it. He ran and God was not going to accept his response. We then see God's pursuit of His messenger. He ran but He could not hide. Was it coincidental that the sailors cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah? Jonah then got honest and told them about his Lord and accepted responsibility for his actions. The sailors tried not to throw him overboard but the storm only grew worse. "Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him." The sailors then knew and experienced God to the point of making a sacrifice to Him. When we encounter our Lord He always tells us how to respond. Jonah ended up being transported back by a fish. If God has led you to help with an assignment please take your response seriously. If you can see similar things happening in your life ask God what He may be telling you to do. Then He will tell you. You may say "God doesn't give me assignments." Then look back and examine your response was from the last one He gave you. That may explain many things happening in your life now. God will tell you when you ask.
Matthew 5 tells us our hearts our the source of our sin. Then then thoughts materialize into actions. We are not to make foolish oaths but to let our yes be yes and our no's be no. He then says to pray for those who persecute us and to love our enemies..."45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Are our actions consistent of a child of the King? Are they a good testimony to our Lord? Does my response to my neighbor show them a changed heart? We may be the only messenger they get. Do we worry about their response to us more that we do that of our Lord God's? Every one may not accept Christ, but we may be chosen to go so they have heard the Good News.
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