Introduction
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Jonah 2: 3-4.
God prepared a landing place for Jonah when he ran from his God-given assignment in Jonah 1. Have you ever ran from God? Beloved, if I could stop anyone from making the same mistakes I made. I hurt deeply at a time in my life, and unfortunately, I had the misconception that God was not answering my prayers so I ran from God.
Reading and Assignment
Jonah 2: 3-4, Psalm 31:22, SOAP Psalm 31:22
Scripture
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. Psalm 31:22.
Observation
God hears our voice, especially when we are crying out for forgiveness.
Application
What do you need to ask for forgiveness? Perhaps, you have stopped going to church, or you have an anger problem and you yell at your children. Perhaps, you have given in to sleep and do not have a quiet time with God daily. Perhaps, you go to food or television for comfort, instead of turning to God. Do you believe when God says He will forgive you of all unrighteousness?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
Prayer
Father God, Your word says that You will forgive us when we run from You. Lord, in my youth, when I misunderstood Your presence in my life, I left you and made some horrible mistakes. Thank you that you did not leave in the desert. You wooed me back and you forgave me. Lord, I pray for anyone reading this, just like You prepared a place for Jonah to land, You allow us to return to You. Thank You that when you forgive us, our relationship is renewed. Thank You for preparing a place that is safe for us to run. Thank You that you give each of us a job to complete. In Jesus name, I ask that I may run the race you have prepared for me. Amen.
Conclusion
Paul teaches about discipline and running a race, beloved, will you run the race God has set before you? God says in 2 Corinthians 1:4, He is our comfort.
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Hebrews 12: 1, God wants us to set aside anything that prevents us from running the race,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
What did Jonah run from, he was to tell a city that was lost about the love of God, repentance, and forgiveness, some things are non-negotiable with God.
What is God asking you to do for Him?
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