(Jonah You can run, but you can't hide) Running From Mercy Book Review

 Jonah a rebel, called to preach, to a people rebelling against God. God called Jonah to preach in Nineveh. the capital city of The Assyrian Empire, the most powerful empire at the time. Jonah disobeyed God and instead of going to Niveveh he went to Tarshish. He was refusing to do the will of God. But God being Omnipresent, (everywhere at once) Jonah could nor runaway form God.  God is also, omniscient (all knowing). God knew Jonah's plans to get on the ship. God knew where the ship was going and God knew what Jonah was thinking. he knew the intentions of Jonah's heart. ( Carter, p.19) Still, Jonah got on the ship and was at the mercy of the sea of Tarhish. God sent a great wind, and threw the boat about on the sea. The men on the boat with Jonah began to fight for their lives, They cried out for their god to help them, it told them to throw their cargo over board, But it did nothing to help. Meanwhile, Jonah was sleeping deeply. He was according to Pastor Carter, "spiritually unaware of God's power all around him" (p. 25) So, God used the pagan men to wake up Jonah. They said to Jonah "Maybe this God will consider us and we won't die." (paraphrased Jonah 1:6) Pastor Carter clearly states that "God is not obligated  to deal with any of us contrary to what we actually deserve." Translation God does not owe us anything.  God's grace is the only thing that will help. He is merciful.  Jonah did not want to acknowledge  his disobedience until God confronted him his sin. But when  he was Jonah said "I can't run anymore." Jonah didn't make excuses. Pastor Carter says "Many people are offended when God points out their sins." God is of love, and they think "He will overlook my sin." But the reason God doesn't overlook sin is because he loves us too much to leave us in sin." (Carter, p. 47). The reason you can't outrun sin is because God is determined to catch you and show you can't  outrun his grace."(p. 47.)  Let's say Bob a young man married to his wife Jane, living in a nice home. Bob has a well paying job. He works hard and he enjoys it. Every part of his life, is well ordered expect his marriage. Bob and Jane, fight often about money, and household chores. But the biggest issue is lack of  intimacy. So, Bob finds an woman at work that will meet his needs. He begins an affair with a woman named Mary. He and Mary go to movies, dinner, and of course, get intimate with each other. Bob and Mary go on without a care in the world, and they are happy, so it is not wrong? until, one day when they cannot outrun their sin. Bob's wife, Jane catches them together. The sin is found out. This is how sin shows up in a person's life, it may seem like the sin has it well put together, but in truth God will expose the sin. A person cannot outrun his sin. God will see that the person is caught.  In time, the brokenness will heal. Now, back to Jonah, You don't break God's appointments. Just ask Jonah. God appointed Jonah to be with him in Ninveh. Rather than meet God, Jonah cancelled.. Of course, Jonah had to learn the hard way like most people..God keeps his appointments. So, what did God do? Jonah 1:17. God appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah for 3 days. and nights.(In God's hang out spot)  The reason? God set up the appointment and Jonah cancelled. God keeps his appointments. He expects you to show up as well.  The fish eventually spits out Jonah. A believer cannot outrun their sin, whether it be disobedience like Jonah or a moral sin, like an affair, God will find you. You can, run, but you can't hide.

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