Simple Truths- Jonah

Simple Truths I’ve Learned From Jonah chapter 1

1. V2- The Lord is merciful to people who are in sin, and will send someone to warn them. I’m so thankful someone came and warned me!

2. V4-5 Jonah’s sin affected other people. Sometimes we think our sin only affects us- not true! Our sin can cost other people a lot.

In this instance Jonah’s sin caused:
1. Stress on the boat, so much that they thought it would break.
2. Fear among the other people on the ship.
3. Loss of cargo, which means loss of money.

3. V5- Our sin can take a while to catch up with us, but eventually it will. Jonah is sleeping while everyone else is freaking out and trying to figure a way to get out of the storm. Jonah was in trouble from the Lord, but the immediate consequences of his actions affected those around him. 

4. V5, 11-12 The person in sin is the only one who can make it right with God. Other people can pray, but you cannot make the person get right, or fix it yourself.

5. V13- We may try to fix things in our own way, like the men tried to row to shore, but if we truly want peace, we have to do things God’s way. 

6. V17- Even in the consequence for Jonah, we see God’s mercy. The fish swallowed him, but it didn’t devour him. God wasn’t looking to destroy Jonah, but to teach him obedience. Jonah was given a mission, and the lives of the people of Ninevah depended on it.