The Point of It All

"But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who can not tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" Jonah 4:11

Sometimes I sit and think about the story of Jonah. It is the first bible story that most of young children learn. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days. To be honest, the story is pretty mesmerizing. Who could ever imagine being thrown overboard and ending up on a three day stay in the fish hotel? Silly right? But when I think about the point of it, that holds the most mesmerizing point of all.

Jonah was really supposed to be on a mission trip, he was instructed by God to go to Nineveh and teach them about the love of God, encouraging them to turn from their evil ways before judgement came. Jonah didn't like the people of Nineveh and he didn't want to go and spread God's message to them, so he headed for Tarshish instead. When he disobedienced, he landed him and the passengers going to Tarshish in a storm, he told them to throw him overboard, suddenly the storm stopped and Jonah had checked into the belly of the fish. But reading the story of Jonah is ultimately a love story. God cared so much for the people of Nineveh and the fact that Jonah was the one that was appointed to bring this message of love that he took Jonah through this experience in order for him to see that he was to go to Nineveh. God's drastic measures to send Jonah to Ninevah in order to turn the people of Nineveh to himself was really the point. The vastness of God's love was seen in this act. His love for them was so drastically real and deep that he would send Jonah to them at any cost. As a result, when Jonah went to Nineveh and did as God commanded, the people turned from their wicked ways, repented before God, and became restored to him, which was the point of it all.

God is crazy about us. He loves us so much that he sends people to spread his message of love to a world that so desperately needs to hear it. His love is endless, he showed us how much when Jesus shattered the darkness of our world with his redemption song. We are loved and that is the point of it all.

Prayer: God, show me the vastness of your love. I want to realize the beauty of it because you went to endless measure to make your love reality. I want to see it in my life and most importantly, let me know and understand that you long to be close to me inspite of the sin in my life. Lord, let your love shine on me. Thank you for it, in Jesus name. -Amen

The Labor of Glory

"Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a santuary. Be strong and do the work." 1 Chron. 28:10
In the last 2 chapters of 1 Chronicles, David was preparing to pass the reign of the Kingdom of Israel over to his son Solomon. God had given David plans to build the temple of the Lord and God instructed David to pass the kingship to Solomon. Solomon was given the charge to complete the work of building the temple of God (a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant). Could you imagine what it would be like to be charged go build a sanctuary for the Living God? What a huge task right? In the midst of this huge task, there was provision for Solomon. His Father, King David gave him the plans (blueprints) and instructions of exactly how God wanted the temple instructed, once Solomon recieved the plans and accepted the charge, he asked God for one thing, Wisdom to accomplish it.
So many times in our lives God asked us to accomplish a task for him. He has chosen us, instructed us, and equipt us with the plans to Labor for His Glory. We are given the opportunity to participate in making the Lord great for all the world to see, just like Solomon did. God is not asking us to accomplish the task ourselves, he is asking us to be an available vessel that he can utilize and strengthen to be his hands and feet in this earth. What is God asking you to do? Have you began to accomplish your God-given task? The beginning of a New Year is a wonderful time to start doing exactly what God placed you on the earth to do. If you don't know what this thing maybe, ask for God's guidance and assistance. He is more than willing to lead you in the right direction. New Year: New Start and Another Opportunity to make the Name of the Lord great in the earth.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing me with life. With the blessing of Life comes the responsibility of accomplishing the Purpose of my Life for your Glory. Minister to me and lead me to the center of your will. As I hear your voice, give me a heart to obey and follow. Thank you for giving me purpose and most importantly never leaving me to accomplish it on my own. Amen