GOD’S JONAH II

And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone am escaped to tell you. – Job 1:15

Jonah is a unique prophet; that much we have observed throughout this week. But he seems to be also one-of-a-kind in a literal sense of the word.

Elijah was undoubtedly one of the greatest prophets of Israel; but one day, his achievements apparently went to his head. When Jezebel tried to kill him, he brashly cried out, “ It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1Ki 19:4)

When the LORD  inquired of him, he replied, TWICE “I have been absolutely loyal to the LORD, the sovereign God, even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” (1Ki 19:10, 14 NET).

In response, the LORD instructed him to anoint 3 persons, one of whom would be his successor. And as a subtle rebuke, told him there were 7,000 other men who were also faithful like him: he was NOT the only one.

Compare the LORD’s response to Elijah with that of Jonah. When God sent Jonah, he didn’t even respond but went in the opposite direction. But observe that the LORD didn’t turn to the remnant “7,000” that was undoubtedly always available to be sent. Instead, the LORD went through hell and high water (“sheol”  and “floods”) to make sure Jonah was available to do the job (Jon 2:2,3).

I call this phenomenon, the Jonah Grace or the Jonah Anointing. It is the grace of being irreplaceable no matter what because of the unique favour you have in God’s sight.

Jonah should have been dead after been thrown into the sea; but a whale swallowed him, and deposited him at the shores of Nineveh. Why? Because he had a message to deliver.

Even Satan, in a twisted way, showed this principle when he destroyed all of Job’s resources, (Job 1:13-19). We observe that no matter the level of devastation and carnage, there was always one servant that was spared. Because that servant had a message to deliver, no evil could touch him (Job 1:15,16,17,19).

Beloved, the work of God in your hands will not be cut short in Jesus name. Regardless of the storms and the raging all around you, the LORD Himself shall preserve you. You shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Ps 117:18). You shall not be dumped halfway; you shall remain relevant to your generation and even much longer in Jesus name.

You shall stand out among your peers the way Jonah stands out from amidst an obscure part of the Bible.

You’re not a general worker in God’s vineyard, you’re a special one-of-a-kind Jonah; and your message, no matter how brief it is, will be heeded to by nations.

  

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus Name.

GREG ELKAN