Tuesday, 7th November 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: RUNNING WITH GOD
THEME SCRIPTURE: “And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid you.” – Jonah 3:1-2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Why did God give Jonah a second chance when the prophet had made his mind earlier never to heed to the call of God?
When Jonah was first instructed by God to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to it, he was hesitant. He felt God did not know what He was doing, and he had a better plan—the people deserve to die in their iniquities. Jonah could not simply trust God and His ways. But you know, trust and obedience go together. According to Charles Spurgeon, “Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He who obeys God, trusts God; and he who trusts God, obeys God.”
Now, Jonah had experienced the mercies of God personally. Mercies he knew he didn’t deserve it. He was called upon the second time to pass on God’s mercies to the city of Nineveh. Often, we do not value the need to share the gospel of Christ with others. We are very comfortable to help others financially, academically, etc. but their spiritual needs we neglect. We often say, “It is their personal business.” How is it pleasing to help people in all other ways and yet those people should lose their souls? We easily forget that we have been saved to pass on God’s salvation message to others.
Beloved, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it (Jonah 3:2). For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:3-4). Jonah had a second chance to obey the voice of God. You and I have a second chance to obey God’s commission for our lives: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:19-20). The willful prophet did run from God. When he found himself in crisis, he ran back to God. This time Jonah returned to Nineveh, running with God, doing what he was told. The results Jonah had in Nineveh was so remarkable. The entire city turned from their wicked ways and turned to God. This is what happens when we cooperate with God in everything we do—we produce remarkable results.
Precious one, there’s only one way to do everything in this life—God’s way. Obedience to God is the key to spiritual advancement and explosion. Learn to trust God, even though you will not comprehend some of the things He does, or instruct us to do. Learn to obey His voice and cooperate with Him. Run with God to fulfil the Great Commission and you will run into great exploits. Jointly with God all things are possible. Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING – Jonah 3:1-10
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How are you consciously passing on the love of God and His mercies in your life to others?
CONFESSION
Precious Father, you have said that we should send the good news to all nations. Wherever we find ourselves, we are to preach the good news. I trust you Lord, that humanity needs the good news. I receive the courage to be obedient from today going forward, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 36; Hosea 4; Acts 20
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