Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 14

“Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17 NLT)

From: December 14, 2014

God called Jonah to deliver a warning of judgment to the city of Nineveh. This capital city of Assyria was hated by the Jews. And rightly so, as the Assyrians would later defeat the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carry its people off into captivity. Yet, God wanted them warned of His judgment. This is a unique story in the Old Testament of the Word being carried to a Gentile people by one of God’s prophets, albeit unwillingly. God had declared His purpose to Abraham that “all the families of the earth” would be blessed from his seed. Here, the book of Jonah hints at this future blessing. Even the Lord Jesus referred to this little book when He said that the only sign He would give was the “sign of Jonah,” referring to His death, burial, and resurrection after three days. If you have trouble believing that God could “arrange” for a fish to save a drowning man, you’ll probably have trouble with a crucified man being resurrected from the grave. Yet, those who do believe are rescued from God’s judgment.

“And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Revelation 5:5)

From: December 14, 2013

John wept because no one was found that could open the scroll with the seven seals. Then, one of the elders (possibly Peter or Matthew, since both were already martyred), pointed out One that was standing between the Throne and four living creatures. This One was both the “Root” and the “Branch” (Isaiah 11:1) of David, pointing to both His preexistence and incarnation. He was the “Lion of Judah” reflecting His royal birthright. Yet even more significant was His identity as the One who had “conquered,” defeating sin, death and the grave by His sacrificial death and resurrection. When John saw Him take the scroll, he witnessed the most wonderful worship erupt in heaven as they all sang, “Worthy is the Lamb!” And his tears turned to joy!

“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord” (Jonah 1:3)

From: December 14, 2012

Instead of going East to Nineveh, Jonah headed West. He didn’t want to do what the Lord commanded. But he found out that you can’t run away from God. Have you tried to run in the opposite direction from God’s call? How’s that working out for you?

“But Jonah ran away from the LORD” (Jonah 1:3)

From: December 14, 2011

Jonah heard God’s call and ran the other way. He soon learned that running from God led to killer storms, drowsy depression, and suicidal thoughts. God let Jonah hit bottom and after 3 days He raised him up. The resurrected Jonah obeyed God. There are consequences to running from God. Are you trying to run from God?