"Now the word of the LORD (Who is Jesus Christ, 'The Word of God') came to Jonah.., saying, 'Arise, go....But Jonah arose to flee...from the presence of the LORD." (From Jonah 1:1-3)
Nice try, Jonah, but it never works, does it?!? I once heard a Dallas Seminary professor sum up the Book of Jonah thus: "God said to Jonah, 'Go.' Jonah said, 'No.' God said to the wind, 'Blow.' Jonah said, 'Woe.'" About sums up life, doesn't it? "Obedience is better than sacrifice," is a Bible passage which is written into the very fabric of life. It is a reality which is not just true from God's perspective. It is life altering from man's perspective. This is true with all Scripture. "And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us...."
Too much jargon and preaching today decries the Old Testament, the Law, the Statues. Too many live as though the commands of God are just to appease God. How very immature! The Words of God are not only, "righteousness for us," in our relationship with the Blessed Trinity, they are, "for our good always," right now, in the home, the office, the market place-------------- the Church. If this reality dominated us, what a difference it would make in our personal lives and in the life of the Church.
Jonah only obeyed after, "....The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." Have you ever been "swallowed" by a "great fish?!?" If so, it was, "for our good always"--------------- "and that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You, Your Words, and everything You do is a great seal of, "for our good always." Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
