Jonah week 1

“A God of Compassion”

Opening . . .

There are times when God asks something of us that we simply do not want to do.

There are various reasons why we may feel this way, but the primary reason is the reality of a difference of view.

God sees it one way; we see it another.

One thing that I have learned through the years is that God is not the One who will change.

I can justify in my mind reasons as to why things should be different, but my justifications, regardless of how much they make sense to me, will not change the mind of God.

His will prevails, and He will accomplish what He determines to do.

Often, one of the main disagreements we can have with God is in the area of people who are different than us.

They don’t have the same beliefs, perspectives, or desires. They can be unjust, unfair, and outright brutal in their dealings with others.

As a result, we can come to the conclusion that they deserve what they get.

After all, “they made their bed and they can lie in it.”

We may not say this out loud, but our actions and attitudes speak it on our behalf.

A defining characteristic of Christ’s was His compassion for people.

Jesus consistently ministered to others from the motivation of compassion.

We are asked by God to do the same on His behalf.

Following the example and teaching of Christ, we are to love the unlovable, pray for those who persecute us, and live compassion in the face of others who reject His love and grace.

[Jon 1:1-6 ESV] 1 “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

4 But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish."

[Jon 1:7-10 ESV] 7 “And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, "Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" 9 And he said to them, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done!" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.”

[Jon 1:15-17 ESV] 15 “So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. 17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”