Saying Yes When We Want To Say No
When I read the story of Jonah this thought comes to mind "Saying yes when we want to say no." Saints we don't have to worry about what happens if we obey God because He will take care of us as His children. In a fish's belly, Jonah recommitted himself to the Lord's purpose. But the story about the consequences of disobedience doesn't end with Jonah obeying God. The Book actually concludes with him acknowledging why he didn't want the job and with the Lord chastising him for his selfish reasons. Jonah was afraid that the Ninevites who were a threat to the Jews might actually repent, and God wouldn't destroy them. Jonah admitted he wanted to see them wiped out for he prayed to the Lord, and said, "Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil." In other words, in anticipation of their salvation I fled in (Jonah 4:2).
Sometimes as God's children we resist doing God's will for many reasons. Sometimes we say no because we dislike the probable outcome of obedience. Like Jonah, we also can lose sight of spiritually important things and focus on our own desires. But if the Lord calls us to act, He will take care of the end results but our job is to obey. I wonder what form of selfishness might be keeping you from obeying the Lord? Maybe you are too angry with someone to work it out or too hurt to welcome back that person who has repented. We are not to be ruled by feelings, no matter how strong they are. Our Heavenly Father calls us to obey Him. The final results may surprise you, particularly how blessed you will be for having obeyed and followed Him.
Sometimes as God's children we resist doing God's will for many reasons. Sometimes we say no because we dislike the probable outcome of obedience. Like Jonah, we also can lose sight of spiritually important things and focus on our own desires. But if the Lord calls us to act, He will take care of the end results but our job is to obey. I wonder what form of selfishness might be keeping you from obeying the Lord? Maybe you are too angry with someone to work it out or too hurt to welcome back that person who has repented. We are not to be ruled by feelings, no matter how strong they are. Our Heavenly Father calls us to obey Him. The final results may surprise you, particularly how blessed you will be for having obeyed and followed Him.
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