Running Away from God

My wife, Kym, and I have four children ranging from 14yrs old to 3yrs old. I dearly love them. There are times when they have attitudes and behaviors that I like and some that I don’t like. For example, I love it when my toddler daughter, Elle, runs to me when she sees me from a distance. I feel very loved in that moment. Also, I love it when she and I are doing the same thing together, like holding hands, walking together, or doing a task together. There are other moments I don’t like so much; like when she runs away from me when I tell her to come here or when she flat out resists me with a stubborn attitude going against my stated directions and commands.

It’s interesting how there are similarities between a child’s relationship with their parent and a person’s relationship with God. All four of the behavioral examples I just mentioned about my daughter toward me occur with people toward God. People run away from God. Some people run to God. Some people run with God. And people run against God. All four of these behavioral themes toward God are found in the book of Jonah in God’s Word, respectively in each of the four chapters.

Many people think that the big news in the book of Jonah is about a whale of a tale, but this book is not so much about a big fish moment. This book is primarily about God; His grace, His mercy, His provision, His sovereignty, His message of repentance; and it’s about a prophet named Jonah who found himself in and out of the will of God which is something that we can relate to today. We are either heading toward God, His will, His ways of righteousness or heading away from God in sin. Which path describes your life lately?

From Jonah chapter one, let’s walk through six stages of Jonah trying to run away from God’s will.

Stage 1) God called Jonah to proclaim repentance to sinners in Nineveh; vss1-2

Jonah 1:1-2 ESV 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.”

Jonah was a prophet who received revelation from God and communicated that to other people, usually to Israelites. Here, however, God called, commissioned, commanded His servant Jonah to go to a pagan mission field; specifically to Nineveh, a big city that was involved in much evil. The context here is that God called Jonah to go to these Gentile pagans and rebuke them for their wickedness, preach to them of their need to repent, to turn to God for salvation and live godly lives and if they didn’t, God’s holy just judgment would come upon them.

This would be a very difficult and dangerous mission for Jonah because this was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, which was quickly becoming the most powerful nation in the world. They were steeped in pagan idolatry and were destroying people groups in the region and had a reputation for being very cruel and wicked in how they treated their enemies.

They were a huge threat to the nation of Israel and this was where God was calling Jonah to preach repentance? Wow! Consider a modern day parallel. God calls a Christian preacher from a biblically saturated culture to go to a crowded city in North Korea or Iran to preach repentance in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the only Savior and Lord. That would be a very dangerous mission.

Stage 2) Jonah disobeyed God and fled on a ship in the other direction; vs3

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.

I could just imagine Jonah responding to God saying stuff like: “Surely you don’t mean that? The Assyrians? Our worst enemy? Those awful pagans! Wait a minute! You never called other prophets to go preach repentance to our enemy nation. I quit. I’m out of here. Find someone else to do this crazy task.”

Jonah tried to run away from God’s will by fleeing on a ship toward the far west, maybe toward Spain, but there is no escaping the omnipresence of God. Jonah was fleeing the Holy Land where the special divine presence of God was manifested like in the Holy Temple. Jonah was in essence trying to resign from his position of God’s prophet and run away from this divine calling and responsibility. How many times has God called us to be someone and do something and our response was to run in the opposite direction of God’s will?

Why did Jonah disobey? He probably had some Hebrew pride, some national pride. Christians in the United States, do we struggle with a national pride or a Christian pride gloating that we are better than others? Jonah probably lacked faith in God about this dangerous mission. How often has God called us to something and we thought, I can’t, I’m unqualified, that’s too hard, too dangerous, etc…?

Jonah was a faithful prophet as long as God wanted what Jonah wanted. But when God’s marching orders went contrary to Jonah’s comfort zone and desires, the prophet would not do what God told Jonah to do. What about you and me? What is the call to Nineveh in our lives we are saying “no” to God about? When God calls you and me to go communicate His kingdom message to some person, some group, some type of human need, what is our response to God? Is it run to and with God or run away from and against God?

Stage 3) God caused a terrible storm to endanger the ship and its passengers (read vss4-6)

Surprisingly, Jonah is out cold asleep but the captain woke him up and told him to cry out to his god for deliverance from this dangerous storm. It’s a sad thing when a prophet servant of the Lord has to be told by pagans to cry to the Lord for help. Jonah brought trouble to a boat load of sailors because he disobeyed God. Whenever we get out of the will of God there are implications for us and others, some of which we might not learn about until later.

Stage 4) Jonah confessed to the crew he is the reason for the storm & he offered his life for their safety (read vss7-13)

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.”

¹² He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.”

No one’s gods were answering the prayers so the crew decided to cast lots as a way to point guilt to someone who was the cause of this storm. I believe God orchestrated the outcome of the lots for His sovereign purposes. Jonah then confessed a few things and the sailors were even more afraid probably thinking Jonah’s God is angry at all of them. Jonah figured that the only safe solution for those onboard was to get him off the ship. Jonah then advised them to throw him overboard. Some scholars notice a type of Christ in this moment when Jonah offered his life for the deliverance of others.

Stage 5) Jonah is thrown into the sea by the crew (read vs14)

The sailors cried out to the God of the universe, Jonah’s God, because they believed Jonah was the reason for this storm and God was upset at Jonah, and they didn’t want to be held accountable for what they were about to do to Jonah.

vss15-16 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.

So, the crew did what Jonah told them they should do and they did what they thought might save the lives of all those onboard the ship, even though this meant Jonah would likely die in the sea. They threw him overboard. Notice, then right afterwards, the sea became peaceful. This was another wow moment act of God who is sovereignly in control of the skies and the earth and its seas. Upon the calming of the sea, the sailors gave reverential fear to Jonah’s God and sacrificed something to the Lord and made commitments of some sort.

Stage 6) God provided a great fish to swallow Jonah for 3 days & 3 nights; vs17

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.

The key point here is not what kind of fish it was or how big it was but that God arranged for this big fish to swallow Jonah and preserve him in there 3 days, 3 nights. We read later that Jonah survived this incredible ordeal, but many people have trouble believing it. Did you know that there have actually been numerous cases reported in more recent times of men who have survived being swallowed by a whale? But that’s beside the point here. We do not need a naturally proven explanation about Jonah surviving in a huge fish. What we need is increased belief and faith in the Lord God Almighty and what He has revealed in Scripture. Amen! You either believe God’s word that God created the Heavens and the earth or you don’t. You either believe God parted the Red Sea and delivered His people from Egypt or you don’t. You either believe that the eternal Son of God became flesh by a virgin birth, became the God-man, died, and then rose in a resurrected body or you don’t. You either believe God used a great fish to swallow up Jonah and preserve his life or you don’t. May the Lord help us have greater belief in God and His Word and may we live accordingly, all to His glory.

From God’s perspective, these circumstances on/in the water and in the big fish for Jonah were an orchestrated series of events drawing Jonah back to God and His will, to an important mission with God to reach a pagan people with God’s message.

Perhaps we know God has called us to a certain place and/or to do a certain work. And we’ve got all the reasons in the world why we think we don’t need or want to obey Him. But running away from God’s will and His Word for us is sin and there will be consequences. May the Lord help us to not disobey Him and instead be faithful obedient believers, knowing God better and better and proclaiming Him better and better to the world. I know from personal experience that running to and with God is not only way better than running away from and against God, it is the best God-honoring God blessed path to be on.

Jonah was on a downward journey in many ways but thankfully the story didn’t end there. God extended Him amazing mercy and grace and provision; and for us today, this is found in Jesus Christ. One of the great evidences of the authenticity of this Jonah story is that Jesus referred to Jonah more than once, using the three days in the belly of a great fish for His own resurrection timeframe. This is exciting! The resurrection of Christ was a key moment in God’s plan of redemption for us; to bring us to God, to be in a right relationship with Him now and forever, by grace through faith in Christ. There is nothing more eternally significant than knowing Jesus personally as your Savior and living for Him as the Lord of your life.

And remember, let’s be consistently running to God and with God! For example, let’s spend quality time in His Word, in prayer, and with His people seeking to understand God’s will and stay in His will consistently engaging in His good works which includes being salt and light in Christ and being the hands, feet, and voice of Christ in this world; being who He wants us to be and doing what He wants us to do; all for His glory! Amen!

I encourage you to prayerfully study the book of Jonah and read ahead. In chapter two you’ll notice Jonah running to God, praising Him, thanking Him. In Chapter three, Jonah’s running with God and a great revival among a large pagan group of people broke out. In chapter four, Jonah is running against God, showing his negative attitude toward God’s mercy toward Ninevah.

May the Lord God Almighty help us consistently run to God and with God and may we point others to the same, all to His glory!

What are your thoughts on Jonah chapter one, this blog, and the issue of running away from God’s will?   

Mike

God is the Owner, We are the Stewards.

When I think of the many things the Mullins family possesses it’s easy to think we are owners of it all; stuff like our minivan, clothing, furniture, food, appliances, and money. These things have been paid for by us, given to us to keep, earned by our work, or are in our possession free and clear of anyone else. My wife and I own these things, right? We say, ‘that’s mine’ or ‘that’s our stuff.’ Well, according to the law of the land, yes, but what about God’s Word?

Consider these Bible verses:

1 Chron. 29:11-18 ESV Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. ¹³ And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. ¹⁴ “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. ¹⁶ O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. ¹⁷ I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. ¹⁸ O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

David wrote this; Ps. 24:1 ESV The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

All that is in the heavens and the earth is the Lord’s. He rules over all. And He is an amazing provider (see also Mt. 6:33) to us. Even the ability to earn and receive wealth is from God (see also Deut. 8:18).

Here is what God said about His ownership of everything; Job 41:11b ESV Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

         

The Bible also points out some specific examples of things that God owns:

Lev. 25:23 ESV The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.

Ps. 50:10-12 ESV  For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹ I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. ¹² “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

Hag. 2:8 ESV The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.

All people belong to the Lord also, in the sense that we are all created by Him and in His image and He is sovereign over us. Note however, that those who are redeemed by God for salvation, from sin and God’s eternal wrath, belong to God in a special way, in relationship with Him now and for eternity.

Rom. 8:9b ESV ..Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

1 Cor. 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Even though God has given human beings some dominion over the earth (i.e. Ps. 8:6) He has not given up His ownership of all things.

“God has never revoked His ownership of everything, nor has He ever surrendered His claim to all treasures. He didn’t die and leave the earth to me or anyone else.” (Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, Pg 24).

God has not given us ownership of His stuff nor has God left us alone and abandoned us with all His stuff.

We exist because of Christ and for Christ.

Col. 1:16-17 ESV ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

This “for Christ” part is about knowing, loving, serving, and worshiping the Lord God Almighty, glorifying Him. We are to glorify God with our lives and the stuff He has provided. This is where stewardship comes in.

What does it mean to be a steward? This is a person who is entrusted to care for a superior’s goods, someone else’s stuff, to be a blessing to the owner. The steward has no sense of entitlement that such stuff actually fully belongs to the steward. The steward is to figure out what the owner wants and then seek to please the owner according to the owner’s will.

Early in our marriage, Kym and I made plans to stay at a bed-in-breakfast near the Poconos. We had a couple young children at that time and wanted someone else to take care of our kids for two days. We asked a young adult female friend (thanks Natalie!) from our church to stay in our home and care for our children while we were away. She was totally responsible for our kids as if she was their own mother watching over them; however, the Mullins kids did not belong to her. This woman was a steward of our children for our benefit, our children’s benefit, and we compensated her for this stewardship role. She honored us by taking good care of our children for two days. During that period, they may have seemed to her to be her kids. She had possession of them and was caring for their needs, but she was only a steward of the kids. The children belong to Kym and me (and ultimately to God). This is a picture of stewardship and this woman was found faithful to us by being a good steward of our precious Mullins children.

Here are some Bible verses about stewardship:

Luke 12:42-44 (NKJV) And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

1 Cor. 4:1 ESV This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

In 1 Cor. 9:17, Paul calls being ‘entrusted with the preaching of the Gospel’ a stewardship.

1 Pet. 4:10 ESV As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Years ago, I heard and read about Christians being stewards of our three T’s; treasure, talents, and time. I can think of a couple more as well.

Your Treasure: This refers to the material blessings and money you have in your temporary possession. Be sure to be rich toward God, invest in godliness. Luke 12:16-21; Mt. 6:24b ESV you cannot serve both God and money; Hebrews 13:5 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Your Talent: This refers to your God-given spiritual gifts and capabilities. An example of talent would be having a natural ability to hear and write music and to sing well. An example of a spiritual gift is to effectively teach the Word of God to a mixed group of people. You could also add your developed skills to this talent category of personal stewardship. Gods wants to bless you and others through how He has wired you. See 1 Pet. 4:10, Mt. 25:14-21.

Your Time: This refers to your effective use of the 24/7 time that God has given you; regarding your prioritization and decision making. Time is fleeting. You can’t get past time back. Make your use of time count and matter for what’s God-honoring. See Eph. 5:15-17 (..making the best use of the time).

Your Testimony: This refers to your Christ-following/Gospel witness and influence upon the lives of others, especially nonbelievers, to the ends of the earth. Christ-followers are salt and light in Christ in this world. Our personal walk and talk in and for Christ matters and makes a difference in this world. See 1 Cor. 4:1, Acts 1:8.

Your Temple: This refers to your body, your life. What goes in and what comes out and how you use your body matters in the eyes of God. A Christ-follower’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and he or she is called to present their body as a living sacrifice, as holy unto the Lord. See 1 Cor. 6:19, Rom. 12:1-2.

Any treasure, talents, time, testimony, and temple we have is from God’s gracious blessing in the first place and we are to honor God with these things, all to His glory.

Prov. 3:9-10 NKJV Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

1 Cor. 10:31b ESV whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This is a key principle for us to live by: God is the Owner, We are the  Stewards. Even more so, for the redeemed, God is the Faithful Owner, We are to be the Faithful Stewards.

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 ESV

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matt. 25:21 ESV

First, acknowledge God’s ownership. Recognizing God’s ownership of all things will help you on the road to peace, joy, and contentment regarding what you temporarily have. It will line you up better with God’s order of things.

Secondly, we are to be God-honoring faithful stewards of God’s stuff. Our faithfulness is required regardless of how much stuff we temporarily have. Faithfulness to God, even with the little things, matters.

Are you stressed related to personal finances, material possessions, debts, lack of contentment, etc..? If we are to get our financial, material, and spiritual lives in order with God, we must acknowledge and live out this key principle; God is the Faithful Owner, We are to be the Faithful Stewards.

Getting this right will help us make good financial related and life related decisions, be more content with the basics of ‘our’ material goods, be more generous, serve the Lord more fruitfully, and give praise to whom it is due (to God).

What do you think about God’s ownership of everything and our responsibility to be faithful stewards for His glory? What do you think about what I’ve posted here?

Mike