Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17

Have you ever been swallowed alive because you took a left when God told you to turn right? I don’t believe there’s a man or woman alive that can relate to this big fish story, however many of us have taken the path of least resistance and lived to regret it.

So many times our obedience is based on ‘what’s in it for me’ thinking instead of ‘I owe you my life’ actuality. We take time to think rather than being quick to obey.

It’s how Eve traded her life in the garden for a life of death and pain. It’s how Samson lost sight of his mission due to lust for a woman. It’s what happens to each of us when our desire for money or self gratification trumps our need for God.

But God in His great love and mercy sent a great fish to swallow Jonah because His desire to warn and save people from death was greater. It’s the reason He sent His own Son, Jesus, as a final price for redemption.

I heard someone bitterly say, “Why would God allow such a travesty to happen to so many people?” That’s not the nature of God. He will repeatedly send warnings in one way or another, but it’s up to us to heed the warnings.

That’s like trying to blame the government for the deaths of so many in a natural disaster. People are always warned to leave, but they don’t always heed the warning. If it happens in this natural realm, how much more does it happen in the Spirit realm?

So many have hardened their hearts toward God, but have unrealistic expectations for Him to rescue them from their own choices.

That’s why Jonah was swallowed by the fish. During that time of misery, being burned by the stomach acid in the fishes belly, Jonah realized that God needed Him to give a message so He said yes. The moment God heard the ‘yes’, the fish puked him up on the beach. He told the people to repent, they listened and repented and the whole city was saved.

What about your city? What about your neighborhood? How willing are you to look a fool so that others would be saved? Yes there will be those who ignore. There will be others who will laugh at you and label you ‘crazy’, but at least you tried to warn them. Better to try and fail than to never try at all.

God, don’t send a fish to redirect me! I open my ears to hear Your voice that not one soul will be lost on my watch.  I simply say yes to Your voice knowing that You will go ahead of me to prepare their hearts to receive the warning. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G