Run and Hide?

We've all heard the story of Jonah and the whale. God gave Jonah instruction to go to Ninevah and preach to the people. Thinking he can hide from the presence of God, because he doesn't want to do this, he hops on the first boat out of town.  If you've ever received instruction from the Lord and didn't like what you heard, you might have thought you could hide from Him. I've heard of people that moved out of town, started going to 'dark' places, got immersed in their job, and even began to hang out with people not associated with God. But, as you know, one cannot hide from God. He is omnipresent. Jer. 23:24 (ERV)  "Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." There is no sense in running from Him. The call is without repentence. Rom. 11:29 (NIV) "For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn." We are still accountable for the 'call' that He has placed in us.

Back to the story we find, in the middle of the voyage, a mega wind causes the ship to be tossed about. In fear of their lives the shipmates begin tossing things overboard to lighten the load. The captain started inquiring to why this must be happening. When they came to Jonah, he told them, he was a God fearing Hebrew. Realizing this was his fault they asked him what they could do to calm the sea. His reply is classic "Pick me up and throw me into the sea...." That's exactly what they did!  Involving others in aiding our disobedience only causes trouble. People, generally, don't want to loose their life over our rebellion, especially if they don't believe in the cause. 

It would seem that Jonah thought being out in the middle of the sea was another great hiding place. But God had something in store for Jonah!  A mega fish swallowed him, to which he remained in him for three days and three nights. Looks like the Lord God had another way to get him to his divine destination. Yes, you guessed it, the whale finally took Jonah to the shore close to Ninevah and threw him up on it. Slime and all Jonah finally marched on into the city and preached the message God had asked him to do. 

The Lord may have asked you to do something you don't want to do. Perhaps it seems beyond your means or uncomfortable. Because He will empower you to accomplish this task, you can do it! "Greater is He that's IN you than he that's in the world." 1 John 4:4  The Lord once asked us to give a very large sum of money, thousands of dollars, in an offering. At first thought, it was difficult. In fact, looking at our bank account, we could say it looked impossible. But how many of you know, what's impossible with man, is possible with Him! We trusted Him for the funds and promptly gave the instructed amount! God brought the money and we were able to obey. So whatever God has instructed you to do - by faith accept the task - and trust Him to help you accomplish it! Don't get stuck running and hiding from Him. Being in a place that is from disobedience is much more uncomfortable than being obedient.

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