Feeling Like Jonah in LA in the Summer of 2010
“Those who cling to worthless idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."
Jonah 2:8-9
Disaster was coming. The prophet had proclaimed that in yet 40 days and the city and its people would be destroyed. But this prophet wasn’t always so bold. At first when the Word of God came to him he ran away from the Lord! He clearly wasn’t as excited about the call given to Him as God was. Maybe it was selfishness, racism or fear that caused him to not want to save the people of Ninevah. One thing it definitely was is disobedience. Yet God used the prophet to turn a nation from evil to Himself and to be saved from certain death. This is the story of Jonah.
I’ve been taught a powerful lesson from this tiny book in the Bible over the last year as my heart often persuades me me to run from doing what God wills rather than trusting Him and doing the hard thing. This seems to be a daily challenge in different ways.
I relate so much to how Jonah’s heart became like jello when He realized God’s call. I feel similarly when I think about my position and privilege to be a minister of the Gospel.
What is amazing to me is how God’s heart did not change toward Jonah. He didn’t revoke the purpose or call that He had for Jonah because of His disobedience. Instead He gave him a second and a third chance and saved many people from sure destruction.
I believe the ministry that the Lord is giving to my team of missionaries is a Jonah-like ministry to fulfill among the thousand of college students we labor amongst. God’s faithfulness, love and purpose for us in the face of our disobedience and fear is worthy of stunned pause. I dearly love these men and women I serve with through Destino LA.
As God had compassion on the people of Ninevah and sends Jonah to call them to give their lives to Him. In the same way by your partnership in prayer and financial support you are sending us to boldly call people to turn to God and avoid a worse disaster than Ninevah faced. The Truth of God in the life that Jesus Christ offers will save people from the final disaster of eternal Hell.
May God bless you and give you joy as you support God’s work by your faithful monthly giving and constant prayers and encouragement! Each of your individual support is really appreciated and you are valued!
~ David
Jonah 2:8-9
Disaster was coming. The prophet had proclaimed that in yet 40 days and the city and its people would be destroyed. But this prophet wasn’t always so bold. At first when the Word of God came to him he ran away from the Lord! He clearly wasn’t as excited about the call given to Him as God was. Maybe it was selfishness, racism or fear that caused him to not want to save the people of Ninevah. One thing it definitely was is disobedience. Yet God used the prophet to turn a nation from evil to Himself and to be saved from certain death. This is the story of Jonah.
I’ve been taught a powerful lesson from this tiny book in the Bible over the last year as my heart often persuades me me to run from doing what God wills rather than trusting Him and doing the hard thing. This seems to be a daily challenge in different ways.
I relate so much to how Jonah’s heart became like jello when He realized God’s call. I feel similarly when I think about my position and privilege to be a minister of the Gospel.
What is amazing to me is how God’s heart did not change toward Jonah. He didn’t revoke the purpose or call that He had for Jonah because of His disobedience. Instead He gave him a second and a third chance and saved many people from sure destruction.
I believe the ministry that the Lord is giving to my team of missionaries is a Jonah-like ministry to fulfill among the thousand of college students we labor amongst. God’s faithfulness, love and purpose for us in the face of our disobedience and fear is worthy of stunned pause. I dearly love these men and women I serve with through Destino LA.
As God had compassion on the people of Ninevah and sends Jonah to call them to give their lives to Him. In the same way by your partnership in prayer and financial support you are sending us to boldly call people to turn to God and avoid a worse disaster than Ninevah faced. The Truth of God in the life that Jesus Christ offers will save people from the final disaster of eternal Hell.
May God bless you and give you joy as you support God’s work by your faithful monthly giving and constant prayers and encouragement! Each of your individual support is really appreciated and you are valued!
~ David
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