Jonah Devo - Day 2

Good morning it is a sunny and hot day here in windy city. I knew Nick liked sports but I didn't know that he liked to sleep with basketballs. Here is what I saw when I woke up 5 minutes ago.





Anyway here is todays devotion.

Monday, July 18, 2011 – Day 2

*Read Jonah 1:7 – 16 – God Desires All

Did you know…
Jonah lived in a polytheistic culture. This means that they believed in many gods. But, they were not polytheistic in the same way that modern Hindus are, for instance. They do not worship many gods. Most of the cultures of this time would worship one god, but recognized many gods as being real. Where you lived, or came from, determined what god you would worship. In their eyes, gods were strictly cultural even though they believed them to have power. The men on the ship were hoping that since their gods did not help them that maybe Jonah’s would. They recognized the power of the one true God, even though they were not in submission to Him.
Casting lots is a common practice of many ancient cultures. No one knows exactly what the practice looked like. It could be sticks or rocks or whatever that is thrown into the air or onto the ground. Casting lots was their way of determining truth. The Israelites understood that God controlled the outcome of the lot (Prov. 16:33). In this case, they wanted to find out who was responsible for the storm.

Back to the story…
I love how descriptive this passage of scripture is because it gives you such a clear picture of the different encounters between Jonah and the other men. This passage starts out with an incriminating series of questions. The men believed so wholly in the lots that they had to find out what Jonah’s story was. When he told them, the results were terrifying to them. Why? The cultures surrounding the Israelites surely knew that they claimed to worship the one true God.

You can almost see the light bulb come on for them. They were able to see now that the one true God had caused this storm that threatened their very lives. And they became “exceedingly afraid” because earlier Jonah had told them he was fleeing from this very same God. At this point they realize that their gods are man-made, and false, and that Jonah’s God is a higher authority.

The main part that I want to talk about from this passage is when Jonah realizes that the only way to save the other men was for him to leave the boat and that meant getting wet because the boat was out to sea. But was that really the only way? Many people see this section as a turning point, when Jonah begins to value others higher than himself. They see it as a change of heart. However, it is most certainly not a change of heart.
Jonah cared about others from the beginning. Jonah’s issue is that he holds his own pride in higher esteem than his very life and at this moment his pride is bursting at the seams. The storm has already begun to open the eyes of the sailors, men who didn’t even believe in the one true God; however it has not caused any change in the heart of Jonah.

Questions:
1. Have you ever been told that Christianity is not for everyone? Do you believe that?

2. What are some things that we/you serve instead of Christ?

3. Has your pride ever affected your relationship with God?

4. What is God’s plan for you? How has He used you in the past?

5. What can we learn about God’s love from the sailors in this passage?

6. What is salvation?


Take away…
God has a plan for His people. What is this plan? It is to draw others to Christ. We all play a different role in the plan, but that is the plan. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God desires that all mankind come to Him to be saved, regardless of their culture or their values. It is our role as followers of Jesus Christ to be leading others to Him, that they too might be saved just as the sailors were.


Prayer Starter

Take just a few moments and talk with God in prayer. You might ask him what His plan is for you today. Be sure to take time to listen for his answer! Also pray for the people you are about to meet today. Ask God to give them soft hearts to see Jesus reflected in you. And ask God to give YOU a soft heart so you can see Jesus reflected in THEM!

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Location:N Albany Ave,Chicago,United States