Rebellion

Jonah 1:8-9, 12

While there are a lot of lessons tucked into the short book of Jonah, one obvious one is that the longer our rebellion lasts, the harder it is to get back. The prophet Jonah is Exhibit A of this lesson. Jonah rebelled against God. Now rebellion is not ignorance. When you don’t know what God wants you to do, you behave ignorantly. An action may still be sinful, but it’s not rebellious if it’s done in ignorance. Rebellion also isn’t discouragement. Maybe you know the right things to do but you need support to get it done. When you know what’s right but you’re trying and failing and desperately need encouragement, that’s not rebellion either.
Rebellion is when you know what God wants you to do, but you won’t do it. It’s a flat-out refusal to do what God clearly requires. Rebellion can be the tone you set in your marriage or family, or it can relate to your time, finances, or lifestyle. In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh were ignorant sinners, but Jonah was a rebel who knew better. Here’s the good news: God doesn’t ignore or give up on rebels. First gently, then aggressively, always relentlessly, God pursues us. He wanted Jonah’s attention, and He did something radical to get it. He might not use a great fish in your case, but God is willing to go to incredible lengths to get your full, undivided attention. Radical love means taking extreme measures to rescue rebellious children. Once he was finally humble and broken, “Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, ‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice’” (Jonah 2:1–2). And how did God reply? Did He lecture Jonah, “I told you so”? No, God lovingly welcomed him back. Jonah could have gotten right with God at the ticket booth or on the deck of the boat. He didn’t have to go to the fish. You could save yourself a world of hurt by surrendering. You could do it willingly. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Describe a situation when you knew God was in pursuit of you. How did you respond?
2. Is God pursuing you about something specific? What do you need to surrender?

Challenge: Is God pursuing you about something specific? Remember that the longer rebellion lasts, the harder it is to get back. In fact, you could turn to Him right now. Your Father is waiting for you.