“The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.” Jonah 1:1-3 NLT
“Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” 12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”” Jonah 1:9-12 NLT
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.” Jonah 2:1 “Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” Jonah 2:10 “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” 3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.” Jonah 3:1-3
God of Creation,
Nineveh, located at the intersection of important north-south and east-west trade routes in Assyria. This was not one of the cities of Judah or Israel. But a huge idol worshipping sinful city. I think I would have felt the same as Jonah, no way! Then aboard the ship, running away he depressingly decides to forfeit his life to save the ship knowing he was the problem. But he doesn’t die he is rescued in the most terrifying, smelliest bizarre way. Only You could do that Lord God of the oceans.
Then in his anguish he prays (Jonah 2:1-9). Repents and finds himself on a beach. And You simply say, now will you go and do what I asked? OK he says and is overwhelmed by the size of the city! Three days to walk it.
Jonah goes through every emotion known to man and finds the best place to be is where You want him. And it is not forever, he gets to go home afterwards. And the people of the pagan city of Nineveh have a life changing experience for good. We do not always realise what effect we have sharing the message of Your Son Jesus where we have been placed. We may put other people in danger by not showing them Your love. We may end up in a mess because we do not listen to You. But thank You that You have ways less extreme to get our attention Holy Spirit. And we do have a message than can give the hearer a life changing experience for good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 7th July 2025
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You
Chorus
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Repeat . . .
Chorus
Lyrics: Matthew James Redman, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Brett Steven Younker, Joseph Patrick, Martin Barrett.