"There is a storm attached to every sin" (Timothy Keller). Every time we launch ourselves in a direction away from what God has told us is good, we experience the results of that action. And the results can be devastating.
Jonah decided he wasn't having anything to do with what God wanted him to do! He ran in the completely opposite direction! And ended up on a ship in the middle of the ocean, caught in a horrendous storm! The fury of that storm was so great, that the sailors, all from different walks of life and believing in many different gods, were convinced that this was a supernatural storm, and that the ship would be torn apart and all lives on board lost! They were sure, based on their understanding of gods that needed to be appeased, that one of their number had done something to anger a god!
Jonah finally blurted out his guilt and begged them to throw him into the ocean so it would stop! But while they did not believe in the same God as Jonah, these were good men, and reluctant to take that path. It took much convincing from Jonah that without it all lives would be lost, before they followed his advice. And as soon as Jonah hit the water, the storm ceased.
Now we know that God had a "vessel" waiting to carry Jonah to safety. But there's something else very cool that's often overlooked in this story. When all those foreign sailors saw what happened to the storm, they were in awe of a god who could be so powerful! And they believed in the God of Jonah!
Sometimes we walk through tumultuous storms - perhaps because they came attached to a poorly chosen path, but often, simply because we live in a world ruled by chaos. That came from a poor choice long ago. But Jonah's God can carry you out of the storm. And what's even more amazing - he can use your story to teach many others that they can believe in him and trust him! "... all things work together for good, to those who love God..." Romans 8:28 He brings good out of everything! Even the worst things you endure! Beauty out of ashes... Life out of dust...
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