PROPHETIC WORD: LESSONS FROM JONAH
February 2, 2022 1:22 AM
My Hiding place
Shared Jan.7, 2021
It’s been a few days that the Lord has been laying on my heart the story of Jonah. There are many lessons we can draw from this book. But as I read through it, really asking the Holy Spirit what exactly He wanted me to share from this story, here’s what He gave me.
Jonah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come before me.”
The first item I would like to draw your attention is to the reason why the Lord gave Jonah this message. Nineveh had reached a state of WICKEDNESS that it was leading it straight toward judgment and destruction. The Lord loved the people of Nineveh and didn’t want them to perish. So, He resolved to assigning to Jonah to go deliver His message of repentance so these people would have a chance to make things right.
In our days, the Lord has used many of His servants to reach His people in the same manner by delivering messages of repentance from wickedness before sending His judgment. The flood has already begun and water has been seeping in. Have you seen it? Have you felt it?
Jonah 1:9-10
He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?”
Here, the sailors had recognized that this storm had occurred because of a spiritual matter, in this case disobedience to God. So, instead of trying to fight this in the physical, they listened to Jonah and threw him overboard. Yes, the sailors did try physical means to lighten up the issue out of their instincts. But it wasn’t long before they realized they were fighting the battle with the wrong means.
We are currently fighting a major spiritual battle. Our method should be to daily put on the full armor of God and to battle on our knees. But some of us, have taken it upon ourselves to try to fight this with other means we know how – physical means instead of spiritual ones. This is a reminder to stop trying things that are not going to work and to fight the right way being led by the Spirit of God and not by our flesh.
Jonah 2:2
He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
Jonah is a curious character. As a servant of the Lord, being chosen to deliver God’s word to the people of Nineveh, He made the decision to ignore the command of the Lord and instead embark on a totally different journey toward Tarshish – in the completely opposite direction. Following his disobedience, Jonah spent 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a big fish who swallowed him. Thank God for second chances! As Jonah prayed to the Lord, inside the belly of the fish, the Lord allowed him to be conveniently spit out on the shore of Nineveh so he could finally deliver the Lord’s message.
The Lord is extending His grace today to grab a hold of this message and come away with Him. Spend time in His presence. There are so many things He wants to share with you, mysteries He wants to reveal to you, gifts He wants to lavish upon you. Let’s be obedient and take a hold of God’s mercy and His second chance.
Jonah 3:7-8
Then he (the king), issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
How did the city of Nineveh perceive Jonah’s message? What did they do about it? This, I believe, is the biggest lesson. I’m completely excited with the way this was handled by the king of Nineveh who not only recognized the severity of the situation but also the proper means to fighting against it- by repenting and turning away from sin.
The Lord has looked down upon the earth and has noticed much wickedness still in the land, and among His people. And despite His several attempts of asking to turn our hearts towards Him, there are far too many who still need to grab a hold of His second chance and repent. Although, the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, He is also a righteous judge. Don’t abuse His generosity and don’t let the ‘calm’ outside fool you. For His judging has begun.
Within the past few short weeks, we have witnessed dramatic changes within our nation: increased lockdowns, people being arrested, pastors being fined, vaccine being rolled out. Do we understand why this is coming? At one point, we may have had the chance to overturn this judgment from our land. But, we’re now past that point of no return. Do not delay in making time to draw near the heart of God, purify your hearts, consecrate your lives, and put on the full armor of God daily. Drop the busyness of life and calm your soul in the presence of the Almighty.
Are you hearing what I am saying? Drop your nets and follow Jesus!
Why are things about to go from bad to worse? Let’s be honest and ask ourselves: if Jesus was to return tonight would we be ready to go with Him? Let’s take time to examine ourselves to truthfully and honestly be able to answer. Have we asked the Lord to forgive us our sins, to purify us, to make us pure like snow?
As things continue to escalate, do not let fear take over. Take a hold of the authority that is in you, by Our Heavenly Father, rebuke and bind the spirit of fear. Don’t forget that the same power that rose Jesus from the grave dwells inside us once we accept Jesus into our hearts. When things become uglier, as they will, keep your trust on Jesus. Remain alert, focused on Him, feet planted on the Rock Eternal, heeding to the Holy Spirit’s voice. Master getting lost in the presence of our Holy God and be engulfed by His Spirit. Fast and with thanksgiving approach the throne of the Father pleading for the salvation of your loved ones, our country and those around the world.
Let’s be like the king of Nineveh and make a proclamation of fasting and have everyone grieving and mourning in the hope that the Lord would lighten up His judgment. If Canada (and the rest of the world) was to get on its knees for Jesus and repent, we would be spared from the rest of the calamities. Instead, many will choose to walk through the wide path and will be greatly tested before they put Jesus back on the throne of their hearts. Lord help us when the calamities increase. For then there will be much distress, so much that nothing could prepare us for what is going to unfold.
The Lord spoke to me in a dream again saying, “Blow the horn!” Then He showed me a train heading from the North fiercely approaching. All around me in the dream was dark – a darkness that could be felt.
I pray that each of you that are reading this will take it to the Lord in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things pertaining to your situation. Use Jesus’ authority to rebuke and bind any bad spirits you may feel hovering over your life and let Jesus’ blood cleanse you.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
