Free Web space and hosting from default.partner
Search the Web

alabasterbox.net

Home ] Up ] Song Bytes ] Free Music ] Worship ] Photos ] Links ]

   

     Jonah had a job to do, but this was one job he didn't want to face.  As a matter of fact, Jonah did what many of us would like to do sometimes - he got on a boat and fled in the opposite direction!  

 

    You see, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach a very important message:  if the peole of Nineveh didn't turn from their evil ways, they would be destroyed.  But Jonah didn't want to set foot in Nineveh. Why should he?  He didn't care about them.  After all, they were evil people!

    While Jonah was on the ship, a terrible storm came up putting them all in great danger of drowning, or being lost at sea.  The storm kept getting worse and worse. And Jonah knew it was his fault, so he told the sailors to throw him overboard!  As soon as Jonah was heaved off the ship, the ocean became calm again.

    So what happened to Jonah?  Was he thrown to his death?  Not at all!  God sent a great big fish to swallow Jonah, and save him from the deep blue sea.  Jonah was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights - a long time to be in a dark and smelly place!  But Jonah spent the time in prayer.  God heard Jonah's prayers, and that great big fish spit Jonah out onto dry land.

  What an ordeal for Jonah!  Again, God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach.  And this time, Jonah did.  Jonah preached God's message to the people of Nineveh, and they turned from their evil ways.  God had compassion for the Ninevites and didn't destroy them.

 

    This narrative oozes with God's mercy and love....Jonah disobeyed God's orders, yet God gave him a second chance!  The people of Nineveh were cruel, even ruthless.  And God gave them all a second chance.  But why?  Because God is the God of love.  He loved them...even the ones that didn't seem so lovable.  God loves each of us so much that he is willing to forgive us, too.  Even me, and yes, of course, you!

Back to devotions

 

Contact us!

   amanda@alabasterbox.net

melody@alabasterbox.net

 

Copyright © 2002 Amanda Furbeck                                        Updated 2/12/03