Jonah! Don't die in your boat

Don't die in your boat

The book of Jonah is an amazing and interesting one filled with so much lesson that reveals the depth and power of God's love and mercy, both to a disobedient prophet and a Gentile nation. It is the story of a man that tried to do what no person has dared, to run away from God. In fact if he had been successful, it would have been not just a world but also an eternal record.

But the book is not just about the disobedience of a prophet, even though it often overshadows the other lessons that could be learnt. More importantly, it is a call of God to every Jonah to awake from every slumber, look their fears in the eyes and go up and possess the city of their purpose by faith. 

God had prepared and anointed Jonah to go and convert the nation of Nineveh. He had put everything in place for Jonah to succeed in his assignment. God's call upon him showed that he was his vessel, equipped to impact a nation. Jonah had the anointing to transform a whole nation and change the course of history. But like many of us, because of his own fears, prejudices etc he ran away from God's purpose. Because of his wrong decision, Jonah found himself with the wrong crowd. The Bible gives a clue to what kind of men they were.

Then the sailors were afraid, and each man cried out to his god... JONAH 1:5 AMP

They were a people given to idolatry and did not have any relationship with God.
Jonah's disobedience made the wrong set of people to come into his life. He thought that by leaving the presence of God and his purpose, he would be free, rather he found himself bound to some persons that helped him in a path that took him away from God's presence and purpose. Jonah might not have wanted to go that far, he just wanted to stay away for a while until he could knock off this pressing need and heaviness he felt in his heart.

The sailors might have meant well, after all they were giving Jonah the assistance he asked and paid for. They had promised him an exciting cruise, but they were only going to take him away from God's presence.But Jonah never truly belonged. He had thought by joining the crew he would finally get rid of the call of God. He had thought that by disobeying God he would have fun and fulfillment. But no sooner than the ship set sail that he realized he didn't belong although he was in the ship.

..But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship and had lain down and was sound asleep (JONAH 1:5 AMP).

Many would have thought Jonah was like the sailors but he wasn't. He was in their midst but never belonged. God's seed was in him, his call was upon his life. Like Jonah, you might have found yourself in the wrong crowd. You might have thought by running away from God your life would be less complicated. You might have thought God is being unfair in calling you to a life of discipline and consecration. Or you felt his call upon your life was too challenging and you're not sure you can do it. And in other to avoid failing you ran. Now you've found yourself in a lonely place with the wrong crowd. You're tired and spent from trying to make meaning of your life. Like Jonah, you've been trying to convince yourself that you belong to this new found life and crowd, but deep down you know you don't belong. You put up a show but you're alone. 

God is telling you, Jonah! Don't die in your boat. He allowed the storm not for your destruction but for your restoration. The storm only came to wake you up from your slumber. Jonah! Don't die in your boat. You've been anointed to impact a nation, transform a people. Don't hide away below, you're the only hope of a dying nation on the verge of destruction. You hold the key to unlocking the destinies of an entire nation. Wake up! Don't die in your boat. 

There is more to your life that meets the eye. You have the word of God in your mouth which is able to save many. Stand up and look your fears in the eye because God has got your back. Nineveh may be a violent nation, but no weapon formed against you shall prosper. You are created for this time. This is your hour for impact. Jonah! Don't die in your boat. Your miracle awaits you on the other side. You could have died at 'sea'. You've had some experiences that could have taken your life but God spared you for this hour. You may be in the belly of the fish but if you'll call upon God and turn around, the fish already has the command to vomit you on land. 

You cannot stay forever in the belly of the fish, it was not designed for you to stay there forever. You might have messed up but his call is still upon your life. Nineveh and history awaits your obedience and impact. Don't die in your boat.