Jonah 1:1-4, “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
We have all heard the story of Jonah and the whale. How he got swallowed up and taken to a place God wanted him to go. He was a prophet of God. God commanded him to go and preach to the people of Ninevah. He was to proclaim God’s righteousness and retribution. Jonah showed us all what not to do and what can happen if we follow his example.
What makes people run from God? First to be clear only those who know God run from Him. Those who have never met Him and are not His are not called. To understand what makes people run we must first look at what they are running from. Could it be responsibility? God made each with specific talents and for a specific purpose. He has a plan for all of His children. We, the children of God, are responsible to God to use the talents He gave us for His honor and His glory. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 If we are not using the talents he gave us what excuse can we give Him?
Many times people run from God because they don’t like what He is asking them to do. That is what Jonah did. “Me go to Ninevah and preach to that godless crowd? You got to be kidding.” We may never know what God has in mind if we refuse to take His call. “You just don’t understand I don’t want to preach or be a missionary.” “Ok is that what God asked you to do? If you don’t take the call how would you know what he wants you to do?”
People also run from God because of sin in their life. Psalm 139:7-9, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” You can never escape the presence of God. Like the man said, “He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere!” So then if God looks on the heart no matter where we go He knows what is in our heart.
If God is asking you to do something it is right or he would not be asking you to do it. If God is in it it will work if he is not it won’t? My question to end part 1 is this--- who can see the future us or God?
Part 2 will look at Why people run from God.
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