IT IS HARD TO CONTEND WITH GOD.

SONG :

When we walk with the LORD, in the light of His word. What a glory He shares on our way. When we do His good will He abides with us still. And for all who will trust and obey.

TEXT :

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; …” Jonah 1:3.

There are times when God’s children or servants shrink from their God given assignments, wills and purposes.  This usually results in great consequences.

From where we have read, instead of Jonah going to Nineveh to preach the Word, as God had instructed him, Jonah disobeyed and went his own way, down to Joppa to go to Tarshish to escape from it.

What did Jonah lose by his conduct? He lost the presence and comfortable enjoyment of God’s love.

As believers, God's presence is only guaranteed when we are doing what He asks us to do. Under such situations, though the whole is world against us, we can be sure of His constant presence with us; and if we have God with us, what does it matter?

 But the moment we start slacking back, and seeking our own inventions, we are at sea without a Captain. This can be a price too high to pay.

Jonah lost everything upon which he might have drawn for comfort. He could not plead or claim the promises of divine protection, for he was not in God’s will.

This is exactly what happenes when we are not in the will of God, our confidence become eroded. "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." - 1 Jn 3:21. At such times, it becomes difficult to approach the Throne of Grace with boldness, to claim or to receive what belongs to us.

 Let us not therefore play the Jonah; rather, be the Abraham who did not hesitate to leave his kindred to the land that God would show him.

Abraham did not waste any time.

Jonah lost his time, for he had to go to Nineveh after all.

 We've got to know one thing for sure that whatever we leave undone will wait for us until we get back to do it.

 As it is hard to contend with God; let us yield ourselves at once!

  No matter how far we stray, His Eye is upon us to bring us back on track. Regardless of what we have done, He will always welcome us home. What a good God we serve!

PRAYER :

Thank you Lord for being so faithful to me, even in my unfaithfulness. Help me to obey your Word to the last letter, in Jesus Mighty name. 🙏 🙏 🙏