Day 21 – Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-10 and 4:1-3


While I was in Washington DC this past week, I visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. As I walked around through the various exhibits, I came across one that displayed the typical life of slaves prior to the civil war. There were pictures of everything from the lifestyles they lived, to the agonies that they endured.

In one section, there was a family that was gazing at some of the pictures of the worst scars imaginable on the back of one of the men. The father of the family looked up directly into my eyes when I came into the exhibit and said “I don’t see how anyone could ever think that they could own another human being.” The words he said, I doubt any would argue with, but the hatred that glared in his eyes towards me was undeserved. At making the comment, his children stared up at him and then followed his eyes to then stare into mine; their hatred too flashing back behind them.

This story in Jonah reflects a similar hatred that Jonah had towards the people of Nineveh. Jonah it is certain had taken issue with these people over their deeds of the past. Undoubtedly either he or his family had in the past been captive or persecuted by these people and he was prejudiced against them.

When we have these thoughts that the world rotates around us (as men), we suddenly end up with wrong views of God’s providence. The apostle Paul said “ …we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. “

There are evils that men do and they will one day have to make an account of their actions to God. God is their creator and God will be their judge.

When you next see someone undeservedly prospering or being given opportunities that they haven’t earned, remember the last verse in Jonah:

God was speaking and he said “ Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left… ?”

There is more I want to write on this, but it would take a chapter. Perhaps I will revisit this topic sometime. God is in control. It is his desire to show give drops of mercy on whom he has mercy; showers of blessings on whom he will reign.

Day 14 – Psalm 85

I find this morning that it is no coincidence that I received an E-mail yesterday from a friend regarding this very same topic.

We live in a country and a time when Romans 1:18-32 would appear to apply directly to us. As a country, we have created a god that suits our needs. We have traded the truth for the lie by twisting what people “think” it means in order to live in the flesh and burning with lust. There are people in this country that follow the teachings of men and women who are far from the truth and are teaching and preaching to itching ears.

Woe to this country if God doesn’t shed his grace on us. He is our only hope of revival. Even as much wickedness rules, there have been times past when the Lord has awakened this sleeping country and revived his people that are within.

Like in this Psalm, I pray that God would not remove his favor on this country. Instead I pray that He would grab it by the blue collar and shake it awake. Open eyes and ears because they will not see or hear unless He does. There is glory to be received from this people and a land that needs to be healed.

Day 7 – Ephesians 5:1-15

When I was growing up, my dad would often take us to caves. Caving was a passion he had, and he helped to map many caves within our area. Inevitably, we would end up deep within the cave to stop and rest and we would all turn off our lights and sit amazed at the darkness. With no light whatsoever from the sun penetrating into the Earth, you can see absolutely nothing; not even the faint movement or shadow from a hand passing in front of your face.

Eventually someone would be the first to relight their carbide light or an electric head lamp. With the light on, the first thing you see is not the person that is wearing the light, but the beam of light being projected out from the reflector of their light. Their lights are not focused on themselves; they are focused on their surroundings and the people in your midst. Then you notice every particle of dust in the path of the beam. Slowly afterwards as your eyes begin to readjust, you can start making out the faces of the people with you.

We live today in a world filled with darkness that is in dire need of light. Unlike a cave, the darkness of this world will destroy but the light we possess can light the entire face of the earth. The problem falls back to men. If they choose, they can still close their eyes and be in darkness; regardless of how much light surrounds them.

1- Be imitators of God as dear children. Lead by example. Raise up the flocks like Abel and seek out your people to dwell among.
2- Walk in love. Show your love to God by giving your life to him.
3- Strive to be blameless in the sight of others. When others are among such a great cloud of witnesses, you should be showing them light, not rain.
4- Quit looking like the world. Be set apart.
5- Only Children receive the inheritance of the Father.
6- Guard your heart. Test what you’re taught and the things you understand against the Word of God.
7- Do not keep the company of fools nor partake in their folly.
8- Don’t walk like an Egyptian. You are a child of God.
9- There is good fruit upon every good branch. Prune off the dead and dying limbs.
10- Don’t just read the word, study it and follow it’s truth. Take delight in pleasing the Lord.
11- Shine the light into the darkness and expose what is hidden behind it.
12- Don’t even speak of evil. You may unknowingly entice another with it’s lusts.
13- Look upon the dark when you have shined the light upon it. You will discover that there was something more sinister lurking in the darkest parts.
14- Don’t have the light? Wake up. Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.
15- Narrow is the way and straight is the path. Let the Word light your path; take one step at a time.

God has made nothing that will sit before/upon the table which isn’t fit to serve. In the meantime, go shine your light.