Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 18; James 5; Jonah 2; Luke 7
Jonah 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Sometimes it takes some fish gastric juices to bring you to a point of repentance. But hey, fish stomach acid is the kindness of God!
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
God was kind to Jonah. He gave him a second chance to obey. While riding around in his submarine, Jonah took the time to call out to God in prayer. During his stay in the stomach he acknowledged that observing lying vanities costs you considerably! Lying vanities are the things we believe that are not true according to God’s Word. They would include superstitions, false religions, and unbiblical traditions. When we choose to observe these things and ignore God’s Word, we cheat ourselves. Jonah said they forsake their own mercy. God is merciful!
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
God will show mercy, but we must forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. We must return to the LORD and receive forgiveness from him. Do you believe this? Jonah did! He stopped his pity party and his pouting in the belly of the ship and repented when he found himself in the belly of the whale.
Have you ever stopped to think when you were going through a rough time that maybe God was trying to get you to stop observing lying vanities and return to him? What do you need to forsake? What is drawing your attention away from the Lord and his purpose? What has become an idol in your life?
If you find these things – forsake them and return to the Lord for he will abundantly pardon!
In Christ,
Rody
