Trouble on the Sea

This discussion is the continuation of the questions that Jonah was being asked by his colleagues on the raging sea when their ship was about to capsize. We are at the sixth question:  “What is this that you have done?” They asked him (Jonah 1:10).  Jonah could not answer the question because he knew he had done a ridiculous thing by running away from the living God.

“Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.  If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10).

I hope you would learn a great lesson from this.  Do not involve yourself in anything that will not give glory to God.  Anything that would engender ridicule and tarnish the testimony of God in your life should be avoided.  If you descend so low to have done a ridiculous thing that would make people ask you: “Why have you done this?” and you bow your head in shame; that is a dirty slap on your integrity.

The life of a child of God once discredited, may take a while to regain people’s confidence again; even if he repents, people will still be speculating if his repentance is genuine.  God might have forgiven you and in God’s sight, you are fully restored.  But it may take a while before people forget your actions and they would always refer to them occasionally.  The best thing for you is to keep on standing and obeying the Lord.  This may be difficult by your personal effort and energy, but God’s grace is sufficient for you.  “. . . Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

However, wherever you find yourself in an error, do not pack it up and remain in a fallen position.  The mercy of the Lord is there to welcome you back to the right relationship with God.  The Lord accepts sincere repentance and He will not leave your contrite heart unattended to.  This is the time you can receive God’s favor, tomorrow may be too late!  Once you reconcile with God and take care of your character, the Lord knows how to help you through the renewal of your life.  You can send your prayer requests to us here and we believe that with God, all things are possible.