Introduction

Good morning, family of faith! Today we're diving into the ocean of God's infinite wisdom and mercy, using the story of Jonah as our guide. In the words of the late Christian author, Timothy Keller, "God always gives you what you would have asked for if you knew everything that He knows."

Our Scripture passage today is Jonah 1:17, "Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." This intriguing verse paints a vivid picture of how God interrupts our missteps and disobedience with His unyielding love and grace.

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, as we dive into Your word today, let it penetrate the depths of our hearts, just as Jonah was swallowed up by the big fish. Help us to grasp the profound lessons on running from our purpose and calling, Your divine intervention to save us, and our need to return to where we belong, which is always in Your love and will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

So, buckle up, we're about to embark on a journey of discovery, understanding, and growth.

Running from Our Purpose and Calling

Running from our purpose and calling is a common human experience, one that is deeply rooted in our fears, insecurities, and sometimes, our stubbornness. We all have a divine purpose, a unique calling that God has placed on our lives. This purpose is not just about what we do, but who we are and who we are becoming in God. It's about our character, our passions, our gifts, and how we use them to serve God and others. Yet, there are times when we, like Jonah, attempt to flee from this calling.

Jonah's story is a classic example of someone trying to evade his divine assignment. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver a message of repentance, but Jonah chose to go in the opposite direction. His fear of the Ninevites and his reluctance to carry out God's command led him to board a ship bound for Tarshish. This act of disobedience was not just a physical journey away from Nineveh, but a spiritual journey away from his purpose and calling.

The reasons we run from our calling can be numerous. We might feel inadequate or unprepared. We might be afraid of failure or rejection. We might not want to step out of our comfort zones or disrupt our plans. We might even disagree with God's instructions, just like Jonah did. But no matter the reason, running from our calling is ultimately running from God and the life He has planned for us.

When we run from our purpose, we often end up in places we never intended to be, just like Jonah ended up in the belly of a fish. We might find ourselves in jobs that drain us, relationships that harm us, or situations that leave us feeling lost and empty. We might experience a lack of fulfillment, joy, and peace. We might feel like we're just going through the motions, without a clear sense of direction or purpose.

Yet, even in our disobedience and detours, God is still at work. He uses our mistakes, our failures, and even our disobedience to draw us back to Him and our calling. He doesn't abandon us in our rebellion, but pursues us with His relentless love and grace. He uses our circumstances, no matter how difficult or painful, to teach us, mold us, and prepare us for our purpose.

God's Intervention to Save Us

God's intervention to save us is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and the story of Jonah is a prime example ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO