Problem

Jonah ran from God, and the city of Joppa was where his disobedience began. The effect of that disobedience was felt by all on the boat, and Jonah’s disobedience was going to kill them all. Jonah was a definite NO to God, and that didn’t work out very well for Him.

A terrible storm came up, and all the sailors were praying to their gods, not realizing the one true God was going to get his man, Jonah, to do what He called him to do.  The following verses tell the details of Jonah’s plight.

Jonah 1: ³ But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

⁴ But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. ⁵ Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.

Jonah didn’t seem to be worried about the storm because he fell sound asleep in the ship's hold.  The sailors woke him up, begging him to consult his God, but Jonah didn’t want to consult his God because he was running from his God.

They asked him what his line of work was, and when He told them he was a Hebrew and that he worshipped the Lord who made the land and the sea, they were terrified!

Even people who worship the wrong gods have an understanding of our God, who is almighty God and fear Him. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah, and he told them to throw him into the sea, and it will become calm again.  Jonah told them he was the problem.  When God calls, our answer is very important, and if we aren’t part of a solution, then we are the problem.  Answer God’s call with Yes and Amen!  If you are not following God, then your storm awaits, but if you do, great blessings await, and lives will be changed.  Do not be the problem!! Wise Man say: If you aren't part of the solution, you are probably the problem.

Just saying....

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warre