*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WHEN GOD NEEDS YOU.......(6)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Jonah 1:1-3 *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.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
When God chooses you, ask for strength to obey and do His bidding.
*Scripture Treasure.*
Jonah wasted time and money when he boarded a ship to Tarshish. His fleeing is recorded as *'went down'* because he began to go away from God.
There are a few things we can learn from Jonah's disobedience.
First, anytime we reject God's calling by way of straying away from His assignment, we endanger some people's lives. The lives of the innocent people on the ship to Tarshish were put in danger, Jonah 1:4-8.
Second, when God calls us to an assignment, some people's lives with God are put on hold, and they may lose them. The people of Nineveh's survival depended on Jonah's preaching for their repentance. Everything about the city's survival was put on hold until Jonah rose up to the call.
Though God may choose someone else but God often chooses specific people for specific assignments.
Christ specifically chose Paul for the Gentiles. He says in Acts 9:15 *But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:*
Third, when we reject God's call, we do it, not caring about others but ourselves. It could mean we are selfish. Jonah was reluctant, and God pointed to His selfishness, Jonah 4:2.
Fourth, when we obey God, the Kingdom is glorified. We open doors to bring more people to God, Jonah 3:10.
Fifth, the kingdom is preserved, and there is no waste of life to Satan. Kingdom resources are preserved, Jonah 4:11.
Nineveh's repentance brought them back to where God intended them to be. The great city remained great to the very end as God intended it, Jonah 4:11, 1:2.
*Remorse corner.*
So much is entrusted by God into the hands of the believer.
*Call to Word action.*
Rom 8: 19 *For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Let us preserve the Kingdom.
*Prayer.*
Help me to do Your work as assigned to me in Jesus name.
Good morning, and be blessed as you come into His presence today.
God bless you.