Topic: Identify The Source Of The Interruption

Text: Jonah 1

Key Verse: The sailors said to each other, “Let’s draw lots and find out who is to blame for getting us into this danger.” They did so, and Jonah’s name was drawn. – Jonah 1:7 GNT

Interruptions are acts or occurrences that interfere with our course of action. It is never convenient when your journey is interrupted or a process ends abruptly before completion. We often encounter these occurrences in real life, and sometimes the impact can be devastating, as seen in our text. The people suffered so much loss when a storm arose in their journey by sea. They had to throw away their cargo to save their lives, yet the circumstances did not change.

Prayer is always a last resort when every other logical solution has been explored without the desired results. Even people who do not practice faith at all are often quick to pray to every god just to overcome adversity.

The sailors were terrified and cried out for help, each one to his god. Then, to lessen the danger, they threw the cargo overboard. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone below and was lying in the ship’s hold, sound asleep. – Jonah 1:5

Then they began to look closely at who could likely be the source of the interruptions they were facing. Relying on a practice familiar to them, they picked out Jonah as the cause of the interruptions. How do you discern when you are in the wrong company? How do you confirm whose presence in your home, family, business, or ministry is attracting evil occurrences? Spiritual blindness is not a virtue; ask God for seeing eyes.

And Jesus told them this parable: “One blind man cannot lead another one; if he does, both will fall into a ditch. – Luke 6:39 GNT

So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: ‘This person will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see, because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me, says God, and I would heal them.’ – Matthew 13:14-15

Notice that Jesus spoke about people in his days who lived ignorant of the occurrences in their lives. Even though they experienced negative trends and evil patterns, they could not understand, nor did they seek help. Jonah was comfortably sleeping amid the storm while everyone else was trying their best; he was too far from reality to notice anything because he was acting willfully.

So they said to him, “Now, then, tell us! Who is to blame for this? What are you doing here? What country do you come from? What is your nationality?” – Jonah 1:8

The sailors asked “Learner questions”. It is essential to ask questions that provide enlightenment and give clarity, Don’t jump to conclusions; ask rather than tell.

Why did Jonah run from God? Are you in any way running from God’s will too?

Jonah went on to tell them that he was running away from the Lord. The sailors were terrified and said to him, “That was an awful thing to do!” – Jonah 1:10

The grace of God may delay God’s judgment for a season, but it may not prevent the consequences of breaking the hedge. One of the common ways people live in willful sin is by refusing to forgive those who hurt them. Anger, bitterness, and an unforgiving spirit are some things that open doors to demonic possession and affliction.

Jonah was willing to die rather than repent and do God’s will. In what ways are you being obstinate in your marriage? What are you willing to sacrifice on the altar of pride? Jonah suggested that his death would be a solution, which is true today about most terrorists and occultic persons, who prefer to die than abort their dangerous mission. It would be best if you discerned the true identity of those who fellowship with you.

Jonah’s exit brought calm back to their journey; sacrificing their relationship with him ended their crisis and suffering. Who’s influence is behind the constant conflict in your family? How can you ease them out of your life without any guilt?

So they cried out to the Lord, “O Lord, we pray, don’t punish us with death for taking this man’s life! You, O Lord, are responsible for all this; it is your doing.”- Jonah 1:14

God used the storm to reveal himself to the travellers. May the skilful management of your interruptions bring more people to God so that what the enemy meant for evil is turned around for good.

Prayer

Father, you are the all-knowing God; nothing in our lives is hidden from your eyes; open our eyes to see, and give us ears to hear so we can understand the evil at work.

Expose the source of our evil interruptions, and give us the wisdom to ease out of our lives, individuals with negative influences, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Ada

Photo by Arseny Togulev on Unsplash