Today I woke up thinking about Jonah – well more specifically about the fish. I did this because when God woke me up today He seemed to ask me a question: “Shane, when did I make that fish and why?”
To be honest my first response (really just trying to give an answer so I could go back to sleep until it was closer to church time) was a typical “Well you made it then for the purpose of swallowing Jonah and keeping him there until he broke.” The question was answered well enough for most men so I closed my eyes but could not let that “pat” and incorrect answer be mine – God woke me up to teach me not quiz me to find out if Shane knew his bible
For some reason I had always “thought” that the fish was made (created) at that time or maybe just early enough to grow big enough to do its job– but I could not reconcile the six days of creative work that had closed with a seventh day of rest – a Sabbath. And the fish had a greater purpose than to just carry Jonah
The KJV uses the word prepared in speaking of that great fish. In fact God specifically uses that word for four distinct things:A fish, a gourd, a worm, and a vehement east wind.
Jon 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jon 2:1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
So here I am at my laptop with Jonah opened on e-sword, and my heart and mind opened up to this lesson from God. I noticed an amazing thing as I read this book with a fresh set of eyes and spirit. This book ends with a question. Only one other book in the bible does that. ANd all four chapters start with a powerful word: Now, Then, And, But.
So here is the summery and my application to this period of my life.
Jonah, at the time of His call to Ninevah was already an established prophet.
God so intimately knew Jonah that His plan already included a fish, two storms, a gourd, a worm, a second call to the mission, a repentant 600,000+ sinners who would repent, and a tremendous question free of rebuke.
I no longer believe in plan “B” there is one way to God, He has one plan for us. We are the ones looking for ways to be righteous or “Christian”, we are the ones trying to be disciples (we either are or we are not), we are the ones judging hearts and failures (both ours and others - isnt it a sin to judge another). We are the ones looking for second chance do-over’s. We are the ones who way to often look for a way out. But God, who is amazingly rich in grace and mercy' has one plan. I still believe in God’s plea for our separation and His desire to fellowship with us. But I more than ever firmly believe that for those who have a heart to love God that His plan is perfect and unmovable. (Think about all the sins of David- lies, manipulation, deciet, adultry, murder - and Im not just talking about Bathsheba. David had an established track record of sins that caused others great harm and loss) We cannot do anything to alter it or even rattle the plan of God it is finished. The bible says the He predestinated all He foreknew to be conformed to the image of His son. God made a decision about Nineveh – that great city. He knew they would repent. He knew Jonah would go. He prepared all things because He desired something: conformed souls.
But God, who is rich in grace and mercy, has prepared many things for my life and those He has called me into. God has all this worked out – always has had it worked out. He knew me from before the foundation of the world. He knew me when he gave me a wife, a daughter, a son, and a call. God, who is rich in grace and mercy, knows the belly of the fish, the stench of the vomit, my journey through life and the final outcome. God has already prepared all that is needed in this process of conforming me into the image of His Son. God is now enjoying the rest of a True Sabbath and I get to enjoy the great question He asked me : “ Shane, don’t you understand that I knew and know and am not worried?”
My life has included so many sins that I never imagined that I would ever commit (remembering now that with whatever judgment I hand out the same will be measured back into my life) that I cannot imagine a full restoration of anything my sin has corrupted. I never imagined a day that my brothers and sisiters in Christ would hate me, call me a manipulating wolf and directly to my face tell me that there is no way I am a child of God. That no man who knows the bible as I do could ever do the things I've done. The most common question :" Didn't you ever struggle with conviction?" Followed closely by "When will you repent and tell me what you have done?" I do not judge those who are and have judged me - 4 months ago I would have cast stones with them. I pray for them because judgement always returns to the judge. I passed those very same judgements on others and it is a spiritual law that it will return to me. I now know the hurt that I saw in their eyes as they were overtaken saints and not wolves. Vaughn I am so sorry for the cuts I placed so deeply in your soul. I confess that I judged you and I am sorry. I did not realize that not only did I judge you but I judged God's word and refused to believe it. How can I call a saint a wolf when I cannot see the heart. And actions are not the heart. We know the heart of all men is wickedly evil above anything else so we should expect sin and be ready to restore - kinda like army medics in a war. Not to drill about what the shot private should have done but to call the wounded by name (doesn't Christ do that?), to encourage them with hope (another Jesus thing), and to give them all the attention they need to survive and thrive (WWJD?). My responsibilty has never been to judge but simply to love and restore - judgement is not required to restore. I think we judge when we lack the grace to forgive without the details. I was so caught up in pushing towards victory and chasing a God that I thought was always moving forward with or with me that I judged others while doing the same thing - sin.
God has taught me the death of judgement and the death it deals to others. God did not judge Jonah - He made preperations. God has made them for me and others. I praise His name for fishes, storms, lot casting sailors, gourds, worms. and winds. Through these God is conforming me. Through these I have been given the gift and grace of repentance from a judgemental spirit
This has been a tough week as I have worked on my essay for Trek. Please continue to pray for all effected by this.
0 comments:
Post a Comment