Echoes of Nineveh: When God's 'Now' Demands Our 'Yes'
I remember one pastor years ago tell his congregation "God needs your hands, heart, mouth...but God does not need your but's" The truth is, God's promptings are rarely convenient. They often disrupt our carefully laid plans and push us out of our comfort zones. But what if those moments of divine urging are the very hinges upon which our purpose swings? What if our obedience, or lack thereof, holds the key to unlocking God's greater plan? Let's dive into the story of Jonah, a man who learned the hard way that when God's "now" demands our "yes," there's no room for hesitation
In Jonah 3:1-5, we find Jonah receiving a second chance to obey God.
"Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth."
1. Obey the Lord Urgently: No Room for Procrastination
Jonah's story is a powerful reminder that God's timing is perfect. After his initial act of disobedience and a rather dramatic underwater experience, Jonah finally hears God's call again. This time, he doesn't delay. "Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh." There's no mention of him packing a leisurely lunch or checking the weather forecast. He went and he went right then.
How often do we hear God's call and respond with, "I'll get to it later," or "When I have more time"? We procrastinate, thinking we have control over the future. Yet, James 4:14 reminds us, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." God's "now" is often crucial. Delaying obedience can mean missing out on a divine appointment or even hindering God's work.
How many mission trips, pastors, missionaries and gospel conversations that never happened. All because people choose to react to God's call like Jonah responded the first time God called Him. How many missed opportunities to be the answer to someone prayer. How many missed opportunities for people to find the fulfillment and joy there is in being used of God by answering His call.
As Jim Elliot said, 'Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.'" Don't miss out on God's yes by giving God you but's! Live in obedience urgently and see all that God is planning to do.
2. Obey the Lord Biblically: No Softening the Message
When Jonah finally arrives in Nineveh, he doesn't sugarcoat the message. "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." Jonah is not pulling no punches here. He delivered the exact message God gave him, without adding or subtracting. He didn't try to make it more palatable or less offensive.
Often, we're tempted to soften God's message to make it more acceptable to ourselves or others. We might avoid difficult conversations, dilute biblical truths, or compromise our convictions to fit in. To answer the call God has on our life, yet do it in a way that will keep us in our comfort zone. Don't be fooled here, partial obedience to God is complete disobedience. It's all or nothing!
True obedience means faithfully delivering God's message, even when it's uncomfortable. Doing what God is calling you to do without any kind of compromise to do it. As 2 Timothy 4:2 urges, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
Consider the prophets of the Old Testament. They didn't shy away from delivering God's warnings, even when it put their lives at risk. Their obedience was rooted in their reverence for God's Word. "A.W. Tozer once said, 'What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.' If we truly understand God’s holiness and justice, we will not dare to alter His Word."
3. Obey the Lord Boldly: Overcoming Fear and Hesitation
Jonah's initial disobedience stemmed from fear and a desire to avoid a task he didn't like. He knew the Ninevites were wicked and that God was merciful. I mean would you want to preach that type of message in a city that has been known to be violent, brutal and wicked to there enemies? Furthermore Jonah didn't want them to repent. These people were his enemies. In his second calling, despite any lingering hesitations he may have had, he went. He acted boldly.
Obedience isn't always easy. It can be scary, especially when God asks us to step out of our comfort zones. We might fear rejection, failure, or the unknown. But God doesn't call us to be comfortable; He calls us to be obedient. One thing I am learning is that obedience to God is the definition of success. As Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Think of the apostle Paul. He faced persecution, imprisonment, and even death for his obedience to God's calling. Yet, he persevered, knowing that God's strength was made perfect in his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). If God has called you to it, He will see you through it. He can equip you and sustain you through all that He is calling you to do!
Corrie ten Boom, who survived a Nazi concentration camp, often spoke of the importance of obedience. She said, 'Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.' Her life was a testament to bold obedience, even in the face of unimaginable fear." You too can have that same bold obedience, if you will simply trust the Lord and follow His leading.
So what can we do? How can we have this same type of obedience that Jonah showed in this passage?
Identify a "Nineveh" in your life. - What is God asking you to do that you've been avoiding? Write it down and commit to taking the first step this week. This could be anything from apologizing to someone you've wronged, to starting a daily prayer time, to volunteering at a local charity.
Examine your heart for any areas where you're softening God's message. -Are you compromising your beliefs to fit in at work? Are you failing to share the gospel message or unwilling to talk about sin? Ask God to give you the courage to stand firm on His truth. Find a trusted friend or mentor and discuss these areas with them. Remember, when we are centered on God's word what we preach is not our own ideas or thoughts, but God's.
Pray for boldness to overcome your fears. Ask God to strengthen your faith and give you the courage to obey Him, even when it's difficult. Fear is a natural emotion but not one God has given us. Don't allow the fear of the unknown keep you from following the God you know. Memorize Joshua 1:9 and repeat it when you feel fear creeping in.
Practice immediate obedience in small things. Start by obeying God in the little nudges you feel throughout your day. Not every act of obedience involves long treks or great acts of faith and courage. Not every call from God involves going to the far flung reaches of the world. Sometimes its in the little conversations we have with others. It might be the gentile urges to extend a helping hand to a woman struggling with groceries. Taking a little time to listen to a friend who is struggling. This will build your "obedience muscle" and prepare you for bigger challenges and greater usefulness for the Kingdom of God.
When we choose to obey God, we align ourselves with His perfect plan. We become instruments of His grace, and we experience the joy of walking in His will. Let the echoes of Nineveh remind us that God's "now" demands our "yes." Now go and be blessed, stay humble and follow your God!
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