Here we are at the end of June! It was five years ago today that Debbie and I moved into our home in Fort Collins. At this point I am still in recovery mode from my back surgery. After feeling I had “turned a corner” a few weeks ago, I have had some challenges with some pain in my left leg and foot. This may be part of the healing process for the nerves, but it does present some challenges. My surgeon said that it may take up to three months to know the final outcome of the surgery. It looks like patience is the watch word.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.  This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish!…” (Jonah 3:10; 4:1,2 NLT)

Jonah is often referred to as the “reluctant prophet.” His story is known for being swallowed by a “great fish” and being spit out on the shores of Nineveh. There are many events in scripture where we don’t know all the details or have all the questions answered that we would like to, but this doesn’t apply to Jonah’s attitude and perspective.

The text of this book and Jonah’s own words are very clear as to why he ran from the Lord. He knew that the Lord was a “merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” (Jonah 4:2 NLT) It is important to remind ourselves that Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians the greatest threat to the existence of Israel and Jerusalem. The fact that Nineveh was going to be destroyed would seem to many like good news.

The Lord instructed Jonah to go to that “great city” and to announce His judgment due to their extreme wickedness. That seems like an appropriate message for a prophet. But what if…..the people repented and God relented?

Jonah’s message was not a call to repentance, but simply a pronouncement of judgment. The message was brief and to the point, “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”  (Jonah 3:4 NLT) When the message was heard it was the people who believed God’s messenger. To them the proper response was to repent with genuine repentance. Even the cattle were put on a fast. They didn’t “party hardy”, until judgment day came giving into their fate. No. They took action to escape their coming doom.

Remember, Jonah was a prophet, not an evangelist. As a result, he was very well aware of God’s word about prophets. “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.” (Deuteronomy 18:22 NIV)

So we get some insight into Jonah’s anger when he says to God, “You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” (Jonah 4:2,3 NLT)

How does a prophet have any credibility is what he declares does not come to pass?! His reputation would be ruined and his future as God’s voice would be undermined. God tries to teach Jonah a lesson by having a vine grow up overnight to provide shade from the sun, only to have it quickly whither. The Lord was trying to show Jonah that he cared more for a vine and his own comfort and his for own reputation than the lives of people who need the Lord and turn to Him and seek forgiveness.

James would later write in his letter, “… judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13 NIV) God is absolutely true to His character. The problem for Jonah was not that he didn’t realize that, but that he did. In our lives we need to remember that our task is obedience to the Lord and leave the rest up to the Lord, letting God be God.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Luke 7:7 NLT

We see in scriptures some of the greatest faith expressed from some of the most unlikely individuals. Perhaps it is because some people don’t know any better than to take Jesus as His Word. That simple child-like faith can be a challenge to us who have been followers of Christ for years.

What is interesting in this account is that Jesus was not approached by the disciples in behalf of the centurion, but by some of the “elders of the Jews.” This is part of the group that was constantly at odds with Jesus. But we see their request included this plea, “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” (Luke 7:4-5 NLT)

The motives of the elders of the Jews was perhaps more related to maintaining the favor of an important military leader of the occupying force of Rome more than a recognition of Christ as Messiah. But none the less Jesus was willing to go.

The centurion then takes actions that reveal his faith and understanding of authority. He tells Jesus he is not worthy for Him to come to his house, but if He would just “speak the word” his servant would be healed.

I began to recall the power of Jesus words we see in scripture. He stopped the storm with “peace, be still.” He raised the dead by saying, “arise.” To others He affirmed that their faith had already made them well, “go in peace, your faith has made you whole.” To the leper He said, “be clean.” When the world was created the Lord said, “Let their be light.”

John’s gospel opens with simply referencing Jesus as “the Word.” People often say, “enough talk, we need action!” For Jesus His word is action.

In the Old Testament another solider named Naaman, an Assyrian, came to the prophet to be healed. In this account he was told to go wash in the Jordan river. He at first refused and was insulted because he had in his mind how the prophet would bring healing. But a servant girl urged him to simply obey and as a result he was healed.

What we can observe is that faith, trust and obedience are interwoven. The Roman centurion allowed his understanding of authority in the military realm, give him faith for the Lord to act in the spiritual realm. For Naaman, his preconceptions of how the spiritual realm works for a moment, hindered his obedience in how the Lord was going to reveal Himself to him and bring healing.

Finally we see at the living word of God, the name “Jesus” is a word of power. Paul declares,  “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10,11 NLT)

Jesus told His disciples, “…whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16 NIV) We read, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in Jesus speaking a single word, to bring life, healing, hope and help to your situation. Our part is to believe, trust and obey.