Most accounts of Jonah focus on Jonah’s later evangelistic efforts but not his first. Usually we retell the story of Jonah preaching bravely to the people of Nineveh, or the story of being in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. But there is special encouragement to the fearful in his first testimony.
You remember the story: God called Jonah to take a message of correction and repentance to a fierce people. And Jonah’s prompt response was to board a vessel heading in the opposite direction. When a fierce storm arose and the sailors feared for their lives, they cast lots to see who was responsible. When the lot fell to Jonah he confessed.
His confession, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” When the sailors followed Jonah’s instructions the raging sea became calm. The men greatly feared the Lord.
How often does fear keep you at home when you want to step out and tell what God has done for you? How often have you put off repeating the story of how Jesus became your best friend because the fear of using the wrong words? Remember the story of Jonah, God was able to use Jonah’s trip in the wrong direction to reach an entire ship. What do you think He can do when you dedicate your humble efforts to the Lord and see what will happen.
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