Devotional 2-23-12

GOD CALLS Read Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Jonah ran from God the first time; the second time he obeyed God’s call. He preached to the people of Nineveh, probably because he feared the consequences of not obeying. Being imprisoned once inside the large fish was enough. The prophet refused at first because he knew God was merciful; Jonah wasn’t, and he wanted Israel’s enemies destroyed. (See Jonah 4:1-2.) Many of us are like Jonah, although perhaps not as hard hearted. We hear the call but ignore it or run from it.

Our calls to serve aren’t as dramatic as the prophet’s. God doesn’t usually tell us to go thousands of miles from home and preach divine destruction that will arrive in forty days.

Our calls may seem minor, such as visiting the sick, ushering at church, and helping the poor. We may not see dramatic turn arounds as Jonah did. After he preached, the Ninevites believed. Then God “changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.”

Jonah obeyed God-- finally. And perhaps that’s the tarnished testimony of many: “I obeyed God—finally.” Extreme measures brought about Jonah’s obedience. For some of us today it may take death of a loved one before we begin to obey.

Even when he obeyed, Jonah found no delight in God’s will. The book closes with the prophet being rebuked for his attitude. He did the right thing but with reluctance. Although it’s good to respond the second time (or third or fourth), it’s even better to cry out with joy the first time, “Yes, Lord, here I am.” Jonah didn’t obey with cheerfulness, and we may assume that he missed out on many divine blessings. Lord, you call me to serve. Forgive me for holding back. Help me to serve joyfully the first time you call.

AMEN

Taken from The Upper Room Disciplines, but reflects my feelings.
Jim Perry