2004 09 19

No　Where　to　Run

Speaker M.Noorhoff

For many the story of Jonah is about a man and a fish. But it is more than that It is a story about God's love for one man and His desire to bring that man home to heaven. It is said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. Clearly the entrance to heaven is narrow and can only be passed though by focusing our love on the Lord God alone. We must strip ourselveles of all that may prevent us from passing through, things such as pride and hatred, especially when these become stronger than our love for God. Jonah hated the Ninevites because of the war. He would gladly see them go to Hell and became angry when God was talking about saving them. This hatred was stronger then His love and Fear of God. He decided to escape. But no one can escape from the omnipresent God. God made the oceans
rough and when the sailors prayed to they Gods in fear they wondered who the Gods may be angry at. Job confessed that the one and only God, creator of the land and see was angry at him and they should through him over. But again this was an escape. Jonah would rather have died then to bring God's word to Ninevah. God could have sent anyone to Ninevah but
he chose Jonah. Why? Surely, any with God's backing could bring God's word. But God loved Jonah so much and he knew that if Jonah couldn't put God above his hatred he would not enter heaven. God loves you and I the same way. At time he gives us hard tasks to try to prepare us, to focus us on God. He will place things in our way that rub us the wrong way in  order to sharpen us. Is God number 1 in our hearts. Am I Jonah? Are you?