In Jonah 1 we see how GOD stopped HIS servant who was running away from HIS plan and brought Jonah to the place where he openly confessed GOD before the pagan crew members which along with the ensuing results brought the entire crew to fear GOD greatly and to make vows to HIM.
We saw in Jonah 2 how GOD brought Jonah to where he needed to be to see how wrong he was in running away and Jonah cried out for deliverance from inside the belly of the big fish and made vows to obey GOD. Why? because Jonah knew GOD would listen to his cries.
We saw how GOD had the fish vomit Jonah out within walking distance of where he needed to be to accomplish GOD’s purposes.
And when Jonah did what GOD had told him to do: to cry out that GOD was going to destroy their city in 40 days all the people from the least to the greatest… even the king, humbled themselves and fasted and wore sackcloth and cried mightily unto GOD and turned from their wicked ways. GOD saw what they did and how they had turned away from their wicked ways and therefore GOD turned from destroying that city.
So far we see 100% success rate in Jonah’s witnessing: A boat full of pagans and a huge city full of wicked and cruel pagans and how does Jonah react?
He got mad and pouted and declared: “Was this not what I said when I was in my own country… for I knew that YOU are a gracious and compassionate GOD slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and ONE who relents concerning sending calamity” Jonah 4:2
I will talk more about what Jonah said at another time. Right now I want to focus on one thing. Why Jonah had such a wonderful success rate in his witnessing both in the boat and in Ninevah. I am convinced the reason is that Jonah had taken the time to get to know his GOD. Jonah knew GOD’s character, HIS nature, the way HE does things. Jonah knew GOD's voice because he had often listened to it. Jonah was GOD’s witness to the lost around him.
Have you taken time to get to know your GOD? Are you HIS witness those around you?
We saw in Jonah 2 how GOD brought Jonah to where he needed to be to see how wrong he was in running away and Jonah cried out for deliverance from inside the belly of the big fish and made vows to obey GOD. Why? because Jonah knew GOD would listen to his cries.
We saw how GOD had the fish vomit Jonah out within walking distance of where he needed to be to accomplish GOD’s purposes.
And when Jonah did what GOD had told him to do: to cry out that GOD was going to destroy their city in 40 days all the people from the least to the greatest… even the king, humbled themselves and fasted and wore sackcloth and cried mightily unto GOD and turned from their wicked ways. GOD saw what they did and how they had turned away from their wicked ways and therefore GOD turned from destroying that city.
So far we see 100% success rate in Jonah’s witnessing: A boat full of pagans and a huge city full of wicked and cruel pagans and how does Jonah react?
He got mad and pouted and declared: “Was this not what I said when I was in my own country… for I knew that YOU are a gracious and compassionate GOD slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and ONE who relents concerning sending calamity” Jonah 4:2
I will talk more about what Jonah said at another time. Right now I want to focus on one thing. Why Jonah had such a wonderful success rate in his witnessing both in the boat and in Ninevah. I am convinced the reason is that Jonah had taken the time to get to know his GOD. Jonah knew GOD’s character, HIS nature, the way HE does things. Jonah knew GOD's voice because he had often listened to it. Jonah was GOD’s witness to the lost around him.
Have you taken time to get to know your GOD? Are you HIS witness those around you?
Just wondering,
Sharon
I am not always His witness, sometimes staying silent is not being a witness, we gotta be strong and bold in the Lord, thanks for the reminder there Moma Sharon!
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