Jonah 2:10 “And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”
My son likes this part of the story because it’s gross. And he’s seven. And seven-year-old boys like anything gross.
But I like this part of the story because of that first little phrase: And the Lord commanded the fish.
And the fish did it.
Man.
Friends, our God is so powerful, He commands all of nature. And all of nature obeys Him. All of nature, that is, except . . .
Us.
You see, He gave us free will. He chooses to love us, and He wants us to choose to love Him back. He’s not going to force us, for He knows that forced obedience never equals love.
I do love Him, with all my heart! Yet, I don’t always show it. I don’t always obey Him. Oh, if I could only be like that fish! If only I would hear God’s command and obey – no hesitation, no bargaining, no stopping to weigh my options.
My life would be a whole lot simpler, that’s for sure.
But with chosen obedience, with chosen loyalty to God comes great rewards. My prayer is that my heart will be so in tune with my Father that I will, like that fish, simply hear and obey.
Dear Father, May my choices always honor You.
Amen
Vomit. Had a lot around here this week. That is a neat insight into an old biblical story. Poor fish. Who wants to vomit, but he had no choice. Thank God He gives us a choice. Though I would always choose not to vomit over vomit.
Thanks Renae, I will remember that imagery. (i mean i will remember that in the most helpful way, not like in a huge whale barfing kind of way.) Good to see you . j
Jamie, I agree. About the vomit, that is. 😉 Hope everyone is feeling better there!
Amen! Obedience–the best way to show my love.