We read in Jonah 3:1-2, Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”(ESV)
These are the words of God to Jonah after the fish vomited him out onto the shore. We are not sure in what position Jonah found himself in that the Lord had to ask him to arise. The first time God spoke to Jonah he was disobedient, but the word of God came to him again the second time asking him to “Arise and go to Nineveh.”
The word ‘arise’ is the one that we are going to meditate on in this message. Many people have come to a place of despondency because of all the difficulties and turmoil that surrounds them, not wanting to do anything at all. It is to such that the word of the Lord says to ‘rise up’ above your circumstances.
There were others in the bible too who had to get this word from God, where God had to get them to get out of the situation that seemed to overwhelm them. The word of God to the church is also the same, wherein God wants us to rise up, and not remain in a place of complacency.
God’s word came in the wilderness
We read in Luke 3:2, “Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.” (NLT)
Take note that Annas and Caiaphas were high priests in the temple at Jerusalem. The worship was going on in the temple, the sacrifices were being made regularly, but the most important aspect that made the temple significant, namely the word of God, did not come to them. Instead of the word of God being revealed in the temple, the message of God came to John the Baptist who was living, and preaching in the wilderness. When the leaders in the temple were not willing to listen and obey the word of God, the Lord decided to send it to the one who would be willing to give heed, and do as God’s word commanded. Multitudes flocked to hear the preaching of John the Baptist, and their lives were transformed.
This is something that we as a church of God need to take stock of today. The question we have to ask ourselves is, ‘Are we receiving the word of God as we truly should?’ Only the word of God can change us, and everything else that we observe will only be mere traditions.
Jeremiah rose to go to the potter’s house
We read in Jeremiah 18:1-2, The LORD spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said, "Go to the potter's house. There I will give you my message." (GW)
God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah, and asked him to get up and to the potter’s house, so that he could hear the word of God. When Jeremiah went to the potter’s house, he saw how the potter took the clay that was marred in his hands, and fashioned it into a vessel that seemed best to him. God could have spoken to Jeremiah right where he was, but God wanted Jeremiah to arise and go to the place that He had ordained, so he could receive that word from God.
Ever since the pandemic struck, you may have noticed that though the churches are open now, there are many who are apprehensive to go to church. They are satisfied to stay home, and watch the online services, especially because there are numerous options that are available these days. There are some restrictions for the elderly and young children, but if for no valid reason people are staying away because of some sort of discouragement that is not helpful to them. As children of God we must take effort to go, and fellowship with other believers whenever possible.
The church should be a place where those who feel hopeless and useless are encouraged, to become the beautiful vessels that God can take and use for His glory. God has made us part of a local church so we too can go regularly, and hear the word of God that is being preached. We somehow make it for other functions like weddings and funerals, but often make excuses to be at church. Also we are sometimes loaded with lots of pending work or other entertainment that we are keen to have done on a Sunday. This should not be so. As God’s word exhorts us we should render unto God that which is duly His. So, when we take time to be together with others in fellowship and hear the word of God, our lives will be transformed, we will receive the counsel of God, and become those effective vessels that God can take and use to bless others.
Jacob got up to go to Bethel
We read in Genesis 35:1, God said to Jacob, "Go to Bethel at once, and live there. Build an altar there to me, the God who appeared to you when you were running away from your brother Esau."(GNB)
At one point Jacob fled from his brother Esau fearing for his life, and on his way Jacob had a special encounter with God at Bethel. Jacob was now settled in his father in law’s house, and God wanted Jacob to get up, and move back to where he came from. Jacob had forgotten God’s intervention, His protection over his life, and what it was to worship God as he should. God was calling him to get back to Bethel, and build an altar there.
Most of us will recall the joy that filled our hearts when we first made a commitment to the Lord. Going to church, hearing the word, worship and fellowship with others thrilled our hearts. However, as time goes by, many tend to grow cold, and lose out on the love and enthusiasm that they once had for the Lord, and things pertaining to the Lord. When our relationship with God weakens, then church going becomes a ritual. God is calling us to get back to the first love we had for God, and everything that is associated with our walk with God. We must enjoy the presence of God every day, for every moment we spend in His presence will be beneficial to our spiritual growth. Think about the disciples of Jesus, when Jesus was here on earth. Every day they spent with Jesus was an exhilarating experience, for they never knew what Jesus would do that day.
The altar that Jacob was asked to build was different from the altar that God expects of us. God wants us to worship Him in Spirit and truth, and not make it a ritual. Every time we come together to worship the Lord we should do so with a sense of expectancy. If we do so, we can be sure that the living God whom we worship will speak directly to the situations we find ourselves in. The word of God is alive, and it will truly accomplish the purpose for which it was sent out. God’s word alone can strengthen and bless us in every way. May our worship be sincere, in Spirit and in truth, so that it is wholly acceptable to the Lord. As we seek God with all our heart we can be sure that there will be peace in us and all around us.
Abram arose and walked
We read in Genesis 13:17, “Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” (ESV)
God could have accomplished the promise to Abraham without him having to do anything on his part. Interestingly, God asked Abraham to rise up, and walk through the length and breadth of the land that He had promised would be Abraham’s inheritance.
The reason for this is that, though God is faithful to keep His promises, there are some things that God expects should be done by us. God established the church so that we should know Him, worship Him, and that there should be definite transformation in our lives. However, this is not the end of it, for God wants us to be those who will take the message of the gospel to those outside the church. Jesus chose the twelve disciples of His to be with Him, to learn from Him, and then send them out to share the good news of the kingdom to every place they were sent. Most of us are part of the church, have received God’s gift of salvation and peace, but sadly we are content to keep it to ourselves and stay safe within the confines of the church. Most believers have forgotten the great commission of the Lord Jesus which commands us to go, and make disciples of all nations.
There are a majority who are content to be part of the church, and attend a one hour service once a week, and feel they have done their duty. Let me remind you that God has called us to go out into the world, to be the light and salt to those outside. The responsibility to share the good news of the gospel is each one of ours. God called us to come, and healed our souls, so we can go, and make disciples of others. If anyone for some reason has become complacent, God beckons to such to rise up and go.
The disciples of Jesus obeyed and went
God called the twelve disciples, and sent them to go into the world. If we think about it, these were ordinary men who were with Jesus. Their lives were changed, and so did their motives, direction and goals they had. They went willingly to unknown territory, and were even willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel. The way they preached the word was so powerful and anointed by the Holy Spirit that the multitudes put their faith in Jesus. So too, this is our responsibility, to run for the sake of the kingdom of God. We are so eager to run in pursuit of the things of this world, but how often do we use our feet to spread the good news of the Kingdom and use our mouth to declare the wonderful message that God has entrusted to us.
Joshua had to rise up and go
We read in Joshua 1:2, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” (ERV)
These are the words of God to Joshua after Moses had died. Moses was a great leader who not only delivered the people of Israel from the cruel hands of Pharaoh, he was also the mighty leader of the Israelites for over forty years. God had performed astounding miracles through Moses, and the people of Israel witnessed all of it. However, when Moses died the people of Israel were perplexed, and did not seem to know how to proceed on. It was then that God had to call Joshua to rise up, and lead the people of Israel across the Jordan, so they could inherit the Promised-Land.
Everyone who is born into this world, irrespective of who they are must face death. This includes leaders too, who may have been used mightily for the Lord, and have accomplished great things for Him in their life-time. The thing that we must therefore consider is, what happens after the death of a leader, and how we can continue the work that he has left behind.
In many ministries even today there is trend that we need to be cautious about. God chooses a person, anoints them and uses them mightily. However, when such a leader passes away, there is a vacuum as there is no one who has been equipped to take on the mantle, and continue the ministry. In such cases many are content to keep speaking about the accomplishments of the deceased leader, instead of thinking what they can do to carry on the mission that he started. This is why it is important to raise a second line of leaders who will work hard with the same zeal, passion, and commitment.
Jesus took ordinary men, some just fishermen, and transformed them to be those who could turn the world upside down. This is a crucial part of every ministry to raise up those who will be committed to carry on the work that has already been started.
Joshua was encouraged to go ahead without fear
We read in Joshua 8:1, “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city and his land:”(ERV)
The people of Israel had just had a tremendous victory over Jericho under the leadership of Joshua. However, when they went to war against Ai which was a tiny place in comparison to Jericho, they were defeated the first time. This was when Joshua and the leaders sought the Lord in total humility as to the reason for their defeat, and the Lord revealed to Joshua that one man had sinned, and coveted after the things that the Lord had commanded them to destroy totally. Achan who was the wrong-doer was found and he accepted his faults. Though Achan and his family were entirely destroyed, the people of Israel were still fearful to go to war against Ai the second time.
It was at such a time that the Lord encouraged Joshua to not fear or be dismayed, for the ones who were responsible for the defeat had been duly removed. Joshua was motivated to leave behind their fears, failures and discouragements and move forward with his mighty men of war. God commanded Joshua to rise up, and go to conquer the city of Ai because God had already handed over the king of Ai and his people to the people of Israel. God had already conquered Ai, and it was up to Joshua and his men to appropriate that victory for themselves.
As children of God often when we encounter with any sort of failure, we are filled with fear that hinders our progress. Sometimes the difficulties we face may be our own making or a result of the wrong choices we made. However, when confronted with failure, we must hold on to God’s word, forget the past, and keep moving on ahead, keeping our eyes on the Lord. Often times when we go through some complicated situations, the Lord will remove those who are responsible for causing the trouble from our lives, just as He did to Achan.
Just as God had handed over the King of Ai to Joshua and the Israelites, the church today has been made more than conquerors through Christ. Sadly, we as a church make so many excuses, are discouraged, are unwilling to rise up and go to fulfill the great commission of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is that the millions in this world who do not yet know who Jesus is, should believe in Him and receive the salvation, healing, peace and joy that Jesus offers. Let us decide as children of God to rise up, come together as a church and worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. May we be willing to go where God wants us to, and be ready to share the good news of the gospel to everyone we meet. Should problems or failures arise may we overcome them, and keep going forward, and receive the blessings that God has in store for us, and those around us.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
