Daily Bread (Running From God)

[shortlady]

Running From God
READ: Jonah 1:1-10

Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. —Jonah 1:3


Why do people run away from God? Is it because of anger, disappointment, despair, disobedience, or a web of rebellion woven from our own desires?

The book of Jonah looks at a prophet who rejected God’s call to deliver His word to the people of Nineveh. In the first chapter (vv.3,10), we read that Jonah deliberately headed for Tarshish to run away from the Lord. He knew exactly where he was going and why. After being given a second chance (3:1-2), Jonah delivered God’s message but reacted angrily when the Lord spared the repentant city (3:10–4:2).

The book ends with the Lord speaking to Jonah about His compassion: “Should I not pity Nineveh?” (4:11). But there’s no indication that the disgruntled prophet changed his attitude. The people of Nineveh repented; Jonah did not.

The story of Jonah should cause each of us to be honest about our feelings toward the Lord. Do we harbor resentment for His leniency toward people we feel deserve judgment? Have we forgotten that God has forgiven us? Are we ready to obey His call and leave the outcome to Him?

The story of Jonah illuminates our reactions to God and measures our willingness to trust Him when we can’t understand His ways. —David C. McCasland

Sometimes it’s hard to trust the Lord
When you don’t understand;
But fight the urge to run from Him—
Reach out and take His hand. —Sper

He pleases God best who trusts Him most.

 

[Faithin1]

Shortlady, there are probably as many answers to your question as there are people in the world. I can only speak for myself. When I have felt distance from God, it was due to my disobedience and/or rebellion. In a sense, I guess you could say that I ran from Him because I felt ashamed. It reminds me of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden of Eden.

Gen. 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him, "Where art thou?" And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Praise the Lord, we can never really hide from Him, but rather only from ourselves and others. I personally have never run away from the Lord during times of trials or tribulation, and I can honestly say that I have never felt closer to Him than during times of anger, disappointment and despair. Those are the times I lean on Him the most.

I was blessed to have a mother who took me to church every Sunday as well as Sunday School from my earliest memories. One song the choir would sing often, really stayed in my heart. Whenever I felt angry or sad I would sing that song and it was always a comfort to me. To this day, whenever I need comforting, I still sing that song - "In The Garden"

""And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."

It is a reminder that Jesus is always with me. Glory to God!!!!

 

[Coffee-Nut_Kay]

both of yalls messages gives others some things to think about, and to pray about,

Pray that when we are weak through Him we gain strength, for He is Strong.

our problems could be caused by many things or circumstances, greed - anger - jeolousness (? spelling) - fear - well really too many to list here, but i think you get the idea, the different things we each live with and the surroundings we grew up in, Many things contribute to who we are and why we do things,

each of us has to find a way to face our faults , the best way is to go to God and ask for His help,

running away never fixes problems,


A.S.A.P. = Always Say A Prayer

 

[pixie]

Jonah a favorite passage of mine

Shortlady, I never contemplated Jonah not repenting. I know that he was so very stubborn in the heart, both before and after God saved the city. I was under the impression that God's wisdom finally sunk into Jonah.
Nevertheless, I see the meaning of God's message in this text. My own thoughts about this text is "if God so chooses". Ultimately it is God that decides on forgiveness, through Jesus now. If He choose to lift the world up, who are we to disagree. Are we Jonah. No, because the Holy Spirit has taught us to know, through scripture, as "God so chooses".
Blessings to Faithin1. How fortunate to grow up in the Lord. I wish that I had your youthful teaching. What a great blessing you have been given, praise the Lord.
Thank You Holy Spirit, for being with us on our journey and path, chosen for us, by God. Thank You Holy Spirit for giving words of wisdom to convey to each other at talkjesus. Thank you for Your fellowship dear Jesus. Thank You for Your inspiration Holy Spirit.
I think that daily devotionals, daily praise is important. Thanking for your sharing with us today.
Lord please keep my heart humble. Amenixie:rainbow: