the Discipleship of jonah Together, getting to know our Father in heaven
Thoughts for Meditation from Pastor Tom
Please follow your heart and enjoy the Lord as you consider these meditations.
Pastor Tom
Lying Vanities - The Discipleship of Jonah
Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.Jonah 1:17 NIV
Jonah is taken from the storm where the Lord dealt him and the community of sailors to a time of personal development and awareness. A one on one time with the Father.
We have seen The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: Jonah 1:1 NIVAnd his response to flee, to minister to the sailors effectively and to declare their deliverence.
We now observe him in his own “realm of the dead” experience after three days he calls to God. How long it often takes before we call on God. It must have dawned on him he was alive and for some reason the inevitable had not happened.
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.Jonah 2:1-2 NIV
Notice his words recognize the reality of his circumstances yet his soul turned progressively to the Lord. Remember your days are ordained and God knows exactly where you are. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. [4] I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ [5] The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. [6] To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever.But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. [7] “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.Jonah 2:3-7 NIV
His conclusion is that one who “observes lying vanities” KJV or “cling to worthless idols” NIV forsake, turn away from God’s love for them. Circumstances are “lying vanities” that don’t determine outcomes, whether storms or fish belly remember your Lord and pray.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Jonah 2:8 KJV
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ”And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.Jonah 2:8-10 NIV
Jonah, with praise,sacrifice, and commitment deepened his relationship to God.
What are “lying vanities” ? circumstances that speak to the mind, speaking options to be considered. Temptation to self direct, to figure it out with limited and false information not knowing the plan of God is forsaking mercy.
In the end God is continuing to develop Job's heart to see and love beyond himself , a lifetime endeavor. The purpose of life, storms, temptations, suffering and celebrations does not change. Therefore let this truth be foundational in your meditations.
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,Acts 17:27 KJV
Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.Jonah 1:17 NIV
Jonah is taken from the storm where the Lord dealt him and the community of sailors to a time of personal development and awareness. A one on one time with the Father.
We have seen The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: Jonah 1:1 NIVAnd his response to flee, to minister to the sailors effectively and to declare their deliverence.
We now observe him in his own “realm of the dead” experience after three days he calls to God. How long it often takes before we call on God. It must have dawned on him he was alive and for some reason the inevitable had not happened.
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.Jonah 2:1-2 NIV
Notice his words recognize the reality of his circumstances yet his soul turned progressively to the Lord. Remember your days are ordained and God knows exactly where you are. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. [4] I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ [5] The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. [6] To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever.But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. [7] “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.Jonah 2:3-7 NIV
His conclusion is that one who “observes lying vanities” KJV or “cling to worthless idols” NIV forsake, turn away from God’s love for them. Circumstances are “lying vanities” that don’t determine outcomes, whether storms or fish belly remember your Lord and pray.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Jonah 2:8 KJV
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ”And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.Jonah 2:8-10 NIV
Jonah, with praise,sacrifice, and commitment deepened his relationship to God.
What are “lying vanities” ? circumstances that speak to the mind, speaking options to be considered. Temptation to self direct, to figure it out with limited and false information not knowing the plan of God is forsaking mercy.
In the end God is continuing to develop Job's heart to see and love beyond himself , a lifetime endeavor. The purpose of life, storms, temptations, suffering and celebrations does not change. Therefore let this truth be foundational in your meditations.
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,Acts 17:27 KJV