Daily Office Readings, Year 2
Proper Twenty-Three
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
AM Psalm 5, 6; PM Psalm
10, 11
Jonah 1:1-17a; Acts 26:24-27:8; Luke 8:40-56
KEY VERSE
: But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the
Lord.... Jonah 1:3 (KJV)
WhenGod
says "Go!", don't say "No!"
By Dorothy A. DeBisschop
The story of Jonah is a favorite of children and adults. The Veggie-Tale
film got a popular reception, not only because the cartoon characters are
familiar and well-liked by children and adults, but also because of the appeal
of the story. The theme of disobedience, consequences, repentance, followed
by a second chance is a favorite of children and adults alike. We can
all identify with Jonah. At times, we'd all like to "do our own
thing," and avoid some of God's instructions.
Bible teacher, Henrietta Mears, wrote that true freedom comes only in obedience.
"A bird is free in the air. Place a bird in the water and he has lost his
liberty. A fish is free in the water, but leave him on the sand and he perishes.
He is out of his realm. So, young people, the Christian is free when he does
the will of God and is obedient to God's command. This is as natural a realm
for God's child as the water is for the fish, or the air for the bird."
Jonah, of course, lived centuries before Henrietta Mears (in fact, about
750 years before Christ). At that time Nineveh was a great city, the
power center of the Israel's enemies. Located in what is now the country
of Iraq, Nineveh was infamous for its cruelty to enemies, as the Book
of Nahum details.
So, it's no wonder Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh. He went to "great
lengths" to avoid it. Instead of going 600 miles east, he went twice
that far to the west. That's really trying hard to avoid God's call!
It was not until the consequences for disobedience were endured that Jonah
was willing to obey.
Ah, yes, there's a bit of Jonah in most of us .........
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Not as I will, but as thou wilt. To be able
to say these words and truly mean them is the highest point we can ever hope
to attain. Then, indeed, we have broken out of time’s hard shell to
breathe,not its stale air, but the fresh, exhilarating atmosphere of eternity."
--Malcolm Muggeridge
PRAYER:
The Master's will, for this
I pray, Whatever it may be!
I do not want to miss Your best; Reveal it,
Lord, to me.
My own desires may lead me wrong, I must consult
my God;
His counsel will be justified, When all the
way I've trod.
O soul of mine, delight in Him! His Word discern,
obey!
The plan you seek to know will then unfoldfrom
day to day.
We do not live our lives alone: If I am inGod's
will,
The lives of others will be helped, His purpose
to fulfill!
My all, O Lord, I give to You, My body, mind
and soul;
May all the days that lie ahead, be under Your
control.
-- Frances L. Hess
JOURNALING NOTES:
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