Text:
Jonah 1: 1-5
Memory Verse:
“But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).
Some years ago, I was on a bus in Oshodi. A man came by the bus I was travelling in, selling wrist watches. After agreeing on the price for one, I Spaid. As the bus moved, he handed me the supposed wristwatch in a bag. I later discovered sadly that I had paid for a rusty metal. Sometimes, we get things we do not bargain for. Jacob laboured for seven years to marry Rachel, but Laban gave him Leah (Genesis 29:23-25).
Jonah disobeyed God. He headed to Tarshish when God told him to go to Nineveh. There was a ready ship to aid his escape. There is always an attractive open door to lead people away from God. He bought the ticket to Tarshish unaware that he had bought a ticket to a violent storm that would destroy properties and threaten lives. He ended up begging people to throw him overboard into the raging sea where he was swallowed up immediately by a fish.
Have you considered the things that you invest your time and resources on? Is it hard drugs, alcoholic beverages, or prostitutes? Are you involved in cultic criminal activities? Why do you need to labour for things that will not satisfy you (Isaiah 55:2)? Why spend your resources and life in the pursuit of a goal that goes against the will of God for your life? Following the dictates of the devil is always very expensive. It may cost you your life and the life of others around you. Think deeply; not all opportunities are good for you.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, do not allow me to spend my resources and life on things that have no eternal profit.
2. I rebuke every storm in my life.
