What Are You Waiting For? by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Exodus 28 – 29
(Second Milers also read – Luke 12 – 13; Proverbs 29; Psalms 136 – 140)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Micah 6:8
“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” – (Exodus 2:23-25)
The children of Israel were under heavy bondage at the hand of the Egyptians. They had hit the bottom of the barrel and had nowhere else to go but to God. He heard them suffering and crying out to him to be delivered. God, in His infinite mercy, remembered His covenant with Abraham. He had already prepared a man (Moses) to fill their need of a leader to bring them into the Promised Land. Moses knew the desert; he knew Egypt, and he witnessed the sufferings of the Israelites firsthand. He knew there was a need, he had the ability to help, and he had a call from God to go. He was God’s perfect need-filler for this situation. But he hesitated. He argued with God all the reasons he couldn’t go. And how much suffering could have been avoided if he would have just said, “Yes, Lord, yes – to your will and to your way.”
Who do you know that has a need and is begging God to be delivered? What position has God placed you in to ease someone else’s burden? God will send someone to fill the need. Will it be you? A beaten man was once in need of help and God sent a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. Only one of them helped – the Samaritan. Would it have been you?
If you are crying out to God for deliverance then hang on – someone is coming. But, if you are the one that God has called and prepared to meet that need – then get going. What are you waiting for?
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
I Don’t Wanna by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Exodus 7 – 9
(Second Milers also read – Mark 15 – 16; Proverbs 22; Psalms 106 – 110)
Scripture memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter” by Monica McCoyMark 15 – 16
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39)
My name is Melissa Dilley and I am 36 years old. I am laying in a hospital bed in my parents’ living room and I will never get out of it. I have rheumatoid arthritis and cervical cancer. I am going to die. Soon.
His name is Jesus and He was 33 years old. He was on His knees in a garden and the soldiers were coming to arrest Him. He had never done anything wrong but His people hated Him. He was going to die. Soon.
Jesus is the Son of God. He spent His entire life helping and loving people; teaching them how to live more abundantly, and how to know they will get to Heaven after life was over. But He was about to face a bad situation. He was going to die. He was a “good man”. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t fair. “Let this cup pass. [I DON’T WANNA].”
As humans we experience this emotion. God knows this. He knows everything that’s in our hearts. If Jesus could feel this way, why can’t we? The responsibility we have that comes with this emotion is to remember – “not as I will, but as THOU wilt” (emphasis mine). We can take a few moments to feel sorry for ourselves, but then proceed in doing what it is that God wants us to do.
In Matthew 21:28 – 31, Jesus tells a story about a man who had two sons he asked to work fo him. The one son said he didn’t wanna, but then did. The second said he would work, but then didn’t. Then Jesus asked which son did the father’s will. Even the Pharisees knew it was the first son.
So the next time something bad comes your way, get in your prayer closet and cry for a while. Tell God: “I don’t understand, I don’t like it, I don’t wanna, but I will”.
Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
A Dry Thirsty Land – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Exodus 4 – 6
(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1
Read “How To Prepare For Revival” by Pastor Paul Chappell
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Good morning. I saw something disturbing on the news yesterday. In Philadelphia – the city of brotherly love – there have been 20 killings since January first. When I watched the news at 10:00 pm, that number had jumped to 25. And there was still two hours to go. A Vietnam War veteran had his jaw broken and his skull fractured by a youth gang. What happened? America has gone dry: it’s a dry land. And it’s because people’s hearts have gotten harder.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2Timothy 3:1-7)
Many of us are to blame. We are afraid to stand on what the Word of God says. We are afraid to speak out and say that any Jew, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Atheist, Agnostic, Unbeliever, Charismatic, Evolutionist, Secular Humanist, self-proclaimed Christian, or anybody else not mentioned in these groups are going to Hell if they have not received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This is not being hateful to any group. This is not a hate crime. This is what God’s Word says in 1John chapter 5:11-12:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Do you know what a real hate crime is? Allowing souls to slip into hell without giving them the Gospel: telling them about Jesus. Even if you are shy, you can still leave a Gospel tract. Leave one with a tip when you dine out. Give one to the gas station attendant when you get gas in your car or truck. You could even mail some out to addresses in the phone book. Can you afford 45 cents a week? That’s 52 people you could reach with God’s plan for salvation in one year.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission [of sins]. We need to pour out the water of God’s Word on this dry land, and let the people know that the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin.
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Peace. (Colossians 1:19-20).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
The Prisoner by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Proverbs 18
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 86 – 90; Memorize – Luke 2:11)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11
Good morning? Hope so. I would assume it all depends on what prison you are in. Maybe money is your warden. Will you have to work 80 hour weeks in the new year to pay for Christmas gifts because you are spending money like the government? Is time your warden? Are you a prisoner of time? I’ll be 57 in February (the 11th – mark your calendar). That means I may have only 13 years left on earth. Any time after that is borrowed. What about friends and family? Does family keep you confined from doing what you could, or should, be doing? I now about a person who would like to attend church service, but the spouse wants them home. That person only attends Sunday school. Maybe you are a prisoner of the church you attend. Are you there to see friends or worship God? Are you there to learn the latest gossip, or learn more about Jesus? Who’s prisoner are you?
Philemon 1:1 says, “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ…”
Being Christ’s prisoner is so much better than being a prisoner of the world. Think about it. Think about a real prison. You get your 3 meals a day, a bed, a roof over your head, and 4 walls to hold everything in, including you. As a prisoner of Christ, we have LIBERTY! We are FREE! The only walls that contain us is God’s will. Even then when we try to escape over that wall, the Lord knows exactly what to do to get us back in. To be a prisoner of Christ, He supplies our every need. And, just like a prisoner who is waiting for his release date, we are also looking forward to that day, when we get to meet the Lord face to face. Because of God’s grace, we have a life-time sentence that we are serving. Even though we are confined sometimes by the cares of this world, we will be totally, absolutely, 100% free, one day. So when the cares of this world, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, and anything else get’s you down, run to the Warden, there is freedom and liberty in Christ Jesus. Become a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Peace (John 14:27)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Philemon by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Like The Beasts That Perish – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3; Proverbs 10
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 46 – 50; Memorize – Isaiah 9:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Good morning! There was a lot of great stuff in today’s Bible reading, but the passage that caught my eye was Psalm 49:16 thru 20: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”
Before we changed over to the 2 station, really cheap cable TV plan, one of our favorite stations was Animal Planet. I was watching a show on lions. They showed a lion take down a wilder-beast (or some other animal like that). If you look into the eyes of the wilder-beast they showed total shock. It knew that it’s life was about to end, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Psalm 49:20 tells us a man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. What a horrible thought: to know your life is going to end right now, and not knowing where you will spend eternity. In the few second between life and death, you may see your life pass before you. You may be able to see all the times you rejected God’s offer of His free gift of salvation. What terror to finally know that Heaven and Hell are real, and your final destination will someday be the lake of fire.
As we read today in Proverbs 10, and verse 2: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Righteousness is what delivers from death. It is not our righteousness. Our righteousness, as the prophet Isaiah says, is as filthy rags. If you look up filthy rags in your Strong’s Concordance, it gives the impression that our righteousness, the good we do, are like menstrual rags. That’s how our good works appear to God. He tells us in His Word that there are none righteous, no not one, and that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Ezekiel chapter 18, verses 4 and 20, warn us the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Do you believe God? 1John 1:8-10 tell us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
If you call a Perfect, Holy, and Righteous God (who cannot lie) a liar, then you’ve just boar false witness: you broke commandment number nine. You lied about God: you’ve fallen short: you’ve sinned. Now what are you going to do? If you read Ephesians 1 thru 3 today, you read verses 8 and 9 of chapter 2: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Sin requires a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). Our blood is tainted by sin: it’s no good. God, knowing this, humbled himself, left heaven, put on flesh, lived a sinless life, and then shed His perfect blood to be the perfect sacrifice for sins. God did that for us, because He loved us. 2Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
You see, Romans 6:23 declares: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You don’t have to be like the beasts that perish. You don’t have to leave this world in a state of shock. You can come to Jesus for His forgiveness and know for sure that when you close your eyes on earth, for the last time, they will open in Heaven. Romans 10:13 tells us that: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Peace. (Luke 2:10-14)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Psalms by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Are You Glorying? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Romans 4 – 7; Proverbs 26
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Memorize – Romans 1:21)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 18:3 & 46
Romans 5:1-5 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Good Morning! Are you glorying this morning? Do you have Jesus as your own personal Saviour? Then you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And you also have access by faith to His grace. But what I really want to focus on is verses 3 through 5: we can glory in tribulations. From tribulation we get patience, from patience comes experience. From experience we get hope. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Are you glorying yet?
If you want to see a good illustration of how we glory in tribulation, go to www.lancasterbaptist.org and look for a video sermon called ‘Stewarding Trials.’ What it boils down to is that we keep God’s good gifts, and throw away those we perceive as being bad. But according to this passage, what we believe to be bad things are actually good: we can glory in tribulations. We get patience, experience, and hope.
Let me give you the three points I gave on Wednesday night. The first was what Bro. Gerald always says: “God is good all the time and all the time God is good.” God is perfect, so His goodness is perfect. And that brings us to the second point. James 1:17 tells us that: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The gifts, or blessings we get from Him are good and perfect. The third point came from Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
So, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
God’s gifts are good and perfect.
And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And adding Romans 5:3 to this list: we can glory in our tribulations: they are good and perfect gifts from God.
When we get to a point where we fully understand the sovereignty of God, that He is in control of everything, it will motivate us to look for God’s purpose in everything. It will be easier for us to submit to His will. These “good” gifts will remind us of our dependence on God. They will get our focus back on the Lord and off our circumstances. Remember Peter walking on the water: he took his eyes of Jesus, and started to sink. But the Lord was there to keep him from drowning. All our anxiety, and worry can be placed on the Lord. Just know that…
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
God’s gifts are good and perfect.
And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Are you glorying yet?
Peace (Romans 5:1)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Romans by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
How’s Your Singing? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Acts 11 – 13; Proverbs 19
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1
Psalm 92:1: “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
Psalm 95:1-2: “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
Good Morning! Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD. It would appear that if you have thanksgiving in your heart it will reflect on your singing. I wish you could see what you look like when you sing. It is not a pretty sight. No wonder many preachers claim Jeremiah 1:8 (Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.). It isn’t really like that. But when we sing, according to Psalm 92:1, we should be singing praises to the LORD. And for those of us who cannot sing, there is Psalm 95:1 and 2. If you can’t sing, make a joyful noise. Think about the words you are singing…
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
Come we that love the Lord, And let your joys be known, Join in a song with sweet accord…
To God be the glory – great things He hath done!
I will sing the wondrous story Of the Christ who died for me…
Sing above the battle strife – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing it softly thru the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb – Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus…
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High…”
Peace (like a river).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Psalms by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
That the Scripture Might Be Fulfilled by Pastor Ted Stahl
Listen to this morning’s message – What Makes God Weep?
Today’s Passages – John 17 – 19; Proverbs 13
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 61 – 65; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” – (John 17:12)
Good morning. What a great way to start the morning with my favorite chapter from the Bible: John chapter 17. Jesus is praying to His Father before going to the cross. Jesus prayed for His disciples, and us: those who would believe through their testimony: their word. And there was only one who was lost: the son of perdition: Judas. And the explanation is given as to why: that the Scripture might be fulfilled (vs12). The Scripture, God’s Word, should be one of the most cherished possessions in our lives. Chapter 17 is all God’s Word (yes, even the 13 words printed black in verse 1). Because God’s will is being done no matter what, we can trust the promises from the Scripture will come to pass: that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
1) The Father would be glorified through Jesus, that the Lord’s glory would be restored as it was before creation, and that we would glorify Jesus (vs 1-10).
Revelation 19:11-16 says, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
That the Scripture might be fulfilled.
2) Safety for believers (vs 11-16).
John 10:27-30 tells us this also, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
We are protected so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
3) Jesus also prayed that we would be sanctified (made holy) through the Scriptures (verses 17-19). And in Hebrews 10:10 the Scriptures tell us that, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Because of His sacrifice the Scriptures say we are sanctified.
I’m getting excited about this. Isn’t it great to know you’re saved and on your way to Heaven!
4) In verses 20 through 23, Jesus prays for the unity of those who believe, and that the world would believe. Revelation 7:9-12 gives us a glimpse into the future. John said, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And that’s only the tribulation saints, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
5) And I especially like verse 24 which tells us that one day we will see Jesus. Stephen saw Jesus just before he was stoned to death, Acts chapter 7:55-56 tell us, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Face to face we shall behold Him that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.
6) And that brings us to verses 25 and 26. Jesus prayed that we would have the same love of the Father that He had. This is the sacrificial love, the agape’ love. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This was Jesus going to the cross, paying the price for our sins, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. We are supposed to have the same love in us. We need to die too: die to self. If we can be a little bit humble, maybe bury our pride, we can easily forgive our brothers and sisters when they sin against us, or hurt us. We should be demonstrating the love of God to others so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Peace (John 14:27).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
It’s All Good – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Sathl
Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 5
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 21 – 25; Memorize – Jude 22)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3
Read a great article, “5 Steps off the Plateau”, by Dr. Paul Chappell
Good morning! In Psalm 22, David is going through the wringer. He is crying out to the Lord for help. The Holy Spirit forms the words in his heart, and paints a picture of the crucifiction of our Lord. Have you ever been there? Did you ever reach a point in your life that you felt like the dogs have surrounded you, ready to tear you apart? How do you deal with it? Has the Lord your God forsaken you? That’s wierd: He said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Maybe the problem is us. Every good gift comes from God. Since He is the Source of everything we receive, doesn’t that make it all good? Our perseption must be off. We preceive the bad things as bad when in reality they are actually good things. The bad things are designed to bring us closer to God. To help us help others. Sometimes for chastisement, which is also for our good.
I had a rough time at work two weeks ago. I worked 73 hours. Yes, I made a nice paycheck, but at what cost. I missed my wife. I missed our preachers tenth anniversary dinner. I actually cursed (not that I used bad words) my job. But it was for my good. That week was actually a good gift. I understand now that I need to be more organized at work. I appreciated getting away for the men’s retreat here at Camp Calvary. But as I said, it is all how we precieve the bad things that happen to us. We need to look at them as good things: good gifts from God: training on survival in this world.
I think if I come away with anything from this retreat, I would like a better attitude. Looking at my problems as being good is a great start.
Peace. (John 16:33)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Psalms by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Jonah 1-4, Proverbs 24, and Revelation 5-8.
Today’s Passage: Jonah 1.
Good Morning! It’s amazing how much we can see of ourselves in Jonah. The Book of Jonah is one of my favorites. Right-off-the-bat Jonah is given his marching orders from the Lord. Right-off-the-bat Jonah runs off in the other direction. Sin will take you quickly from the presence of the Lord. Remember what Samuel told Saul? Samuel said, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (1Samuel 15: 22-23).
Also notice, back in Jonah, verses 4-6, that God sent a tempest in the sea, and a great wind. The sailors thought they were going to die. Notice two observations here. When we sin, it affects those around us. And also notice where Jonah was: he was in the side of the ship, fast asleep. When we sin, it not only affects others, but how we affect others: his soul winning hit an all time low: while those on deck were facing the wrath of God, Jonah was asleep.
So, while Jonah is asleep, what are the people on deck doing? They are running around deck, throwing things overboard, trying to lighten the ship.
When they cast lots, and found that Jonah was to blame, they asked him what they should do. “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.” (Jonah 1:12-13). Jonah knew that the wages of sin was death: he knew that someone had to die to save those on the ship. The crew did not believe Jonah, and worked hard to save the ship. Of course you know: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). And you should also know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); and that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Wait, wasn’t that the task given to Jonah: to give people the Word of God?
God wasn’t done with Jonah yet. After the crew threw Jonah overboard, the Lord not only calmed the sea, but sent a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
Not only does our sin cause us to run from God. Not only does our sin affect others. Not only does our sin cause our soul-winning to come to a halt. Our sin causes us to be separated from God: we find ourselves in the belly of the fish: dark and lonely. In those places are the times we usually turn back to God. 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
A good example of this happened to David. Psalm 51 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalm 51:1-15).
This is what Jonah did in chapter 2, and the Lord caused the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. And, of course, Jonah went on to witness to all of Nineveh, and they turned from their evil ways. God spared that city of 120,000 souls.
Peace. (Psalm 51:12-13).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Jonah by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.