Jonah 1:3

"But Jonah arose 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 from the presence of the LORD" Jonah 1:3

Don't tell me you've never done it. We all have at some time or another. Most likely we've done it quite recently. Running from the Lord is a common human condition.

Jonah did it in a royal way. He was ordered to Nineveh. He ran for a ship. That would be fine - if Nineveh were on the sea shore - but that lovely, enemy community was landlocked! Running for a ship was not in God's plans. However, God had made plans for Jonah's disobedience. He provided a ship, a storm and a prize winning fish - and Jonah was the bait!

Of course we know what happened to Jonah. It is said by those who have found people who lived in the belly of a great fish - yes, there are numerous historical accounts of this in modern times - that the swallowee is bleached white by the stomach acids of said swallower. What a sight Jonah must have been when he finally strolled into Nineveh - a pure white man, smelling of fish, shouting "Repent or die!"

I can personally testify that I have never been swallowed by a great fish though I have run from doing the will of God. Sometimes I almost wish I had met a great big fish. The lesson may have been easier to learn. Then again it might not have been because Jonah was a tough student. Though he did the will of the Father, he did it without conviction and enthusiasm. Still, the work was done and the desired results were achieved.

Are you running from God? Is He telling you to do something that you don't desire to do? Have you fled for a ship when a camel would be more appropriate? May I suggest that you stop where you are, turn around and head for the nearest used camel dealer, lay your money down, and ask directions for your Nineveh. I won't ask. I won't even suggest it. I strongly urge you to do it. Remember, your fish may chew his food a little more thoroughly than Jonah's! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.