THURSDAY, JULY 12
“I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.”
Jonah 1:12 NASB
ON THE RUN: RUNNING HURTS
Pete and Joe were out sailing in a boat. A fierce storm blew up. Torrents of rain splashed down. The waves were rocking them. They desperately adjusted the rigging this way and that trying to keep the boat upright. “It’s at times like this” shouted Pete above the noise the storm, “I really wish I would’ve listened to what my mom said.” “Why?” asked Joe, “What did she say?” “I don’t know, I didn’t listen!”
Jonah ended up in the middle of a storm because he didn’t listen to what God said. The other sailors on the ship also ended up in a storm because Jonah didn’t listen to what God said. Jonah’s sin hurt the sailors on the ship with him. Thankfully, God used this storm to lead these sailors to a place of faith and commitment. In Jonah 1:16 tells us, “Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.”
Our sin is like second hand smoke. It affects everyone around us. Can you think of a time in your life when someone else’s running from God hurt you? Have you forgiven them? Is there anyone that you need to ask to forgive you for the hurt your running brought into their life? God can even use our painful messes to bring about good if we let Him. Thank Him for using your storms to bring about His good.
