The Universality of God's Mercies: The Bookof Jonah. Episode 29!

Welcome to Episode 29. Realise that matters are settled through prayers. If you are a child of God, know that prayer is a weapon, use it when it matters. When people sleep instead of staying awake and pray, that could be the beginning of their trouble, awake O sleeper! Imagine a world where Jonah didn’t know how to swim, and if he did, how far would he be able to swim for in a stormy sea? Could a village or city be nearby to swim to, for a refuge? Not likely, what a dilemma! Worst of all, as a man of God, Jonah did not offer any prayers to God prior, and when he asked to be thrown into the sea— there is no record to show that he prayed. I know some of us would have prayed almost every prayer they knew how to, quote many scriptures that they could, cast and bind all the ‘bindables’ so that they wouldn't be drowned in the sea. Shockingly, all the travellers didn’t pray to God to still the storm— no room and there was no time for prayers. Rather, they were looking for the culprit, or the individual who brought ‘bad luck’ to them and the lot fell on Jonah as stated in Jonah 1:7. Let’s read: And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Respectfully speaking, I am a man of prayer, but from human perspective their immediate priority was getting the ship sailing and to be able to continue with their journey. I pray that from today, you will do the right thing at the right time, with the right people and get the legitimate results in the name of Jesus Christ. Realistically, it was God who decided to tamper justice with mercy if not, Jonah would be dead by now. Further, none of the sailors cared about Jonah’s condition and well-being and that is human being for you. Think about it, not a single person among the mariners cared if Jonah would be dead or remained alive once thrown into the violent sea. Jonah himself would have thought death was inevitable. One of the moral lessons here is that God is the only One who can genuinely care for you as stated in His word, see 1 Peter 5:7, which says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Another lesson is that, in life it is possible to forget to pray when faced by imminent dangers, therefore, let prayer be your lifestyle so that there can be a ‘reservoir’ to draw from when the occasion demands for it— Pray without ceasing, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:17. My wish for you is that, faced by any challenge or issues of life, you will remember to pray to God for help, the One who said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,” as stated in Psalms 50:15. May God answer and strengthen you from heaven in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I have a question for you. What would you say if the storm is from God? Let us consider two instances where God was behind the storm which was sent to two different characters. The first person was the runner-away Evangelist who knew God sent the storm because of his (Jonah) disobedience. Read Jonah 1:4,12-13, “But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.” … 12 And he (Jonah) said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” Jonah 1:4, and 12-13 As for the second person, God had held a discussion in the Council of Heaven and boasted to Satan that Job would not deny Him (God). But Satan objected, Read Job 1:8-12, “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” As in the above two cases, God can be at work even when what is happening appears to be strange, challenging, caught you unprepared, is dangerous and extremely negative.