Tickets to Tarshish

I was shocked a few years on a cruise ship to learn that there is an option to buy a ticket round trip to some random place in the world on ships that they are transporting to different ports. It could be to anywhere, no direction, no plans, no purpose. Just getting away at a low cost, low commitment.

They said it is geared for people who are alone, widowed, single, retired, and who have

NOTHING MORE TO DO THAN JUST STAY ON A SHIP TO ANYWHERE!

All this time I have kept this in my mind and praying that I never get to the point of being happier anywhere, rather than having purpose to my life and my walk with God.

During the course of study the topic of Tarshish came to mind and I was shocked to find that Tarshish was not a place but rather a place of mind. It is anywhere a person can go to get away from the realities of their lives.

People is searching even here in this house for a easier way. Looking to get away without putting in the effort for the reward.

Looking to the word we find Jonah. Tarshish is his destination as he runs from the calling and work of God.

Jonah 1:1–3 KJV 1900

Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

He bought a ticket to Tarshish, anywhere but ended up in the belly of a bigger problem than he ran from.

Jonah bought a ticket to Tarshish and ended up whale food, living in fear and despair for three days. In the bile of the digestive system of the largest ocean creature. Spit out onto land three days latter, smelly, dirty, ragged and confused, Jonah was ready to go to Nineveh and put in the work for God.

How many tonight have com to the house of the Lord in body but having purchased a ticket to Tarshish in your mind.

Take me anywhere but the presence of God.

Take me anywhere but the place where effort is required.

Send me to Tarshish, I am to old to worship.

Send me to Tarshish, I am to sick to bring any effort to the service.

Send me to Tarshish, I have tried so many times to live for God but can’t make it.

Buy me a ticket to Tarshish, I cant find the time to press into his presence.

I am here tonight to preach to you that a ticket to Tarshish is a ticket to everywhere you don’t need to be.

It will take you to a miserable backslidden condition that unlike Jonah may never spit you out.

I am here to tell you that a ticket to the alter is free and available.

I offer you a free ticket to the arena of worship in the house of God.

When faced with the choice in your life of , scream out

I WANT A TICKET INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

Tarshish is easy to find and hard to leave. Nothing good is found outside the spirit of the Lord.

Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

There is reason to request passage into his presence.

Psalm 23:1–6 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

My ticket is bought and paid for my the blood of the lamb. I am bypassing Tarshish and my next stop is dwelling in the house of the lord.