Jonah confessed to the sailors that he was running away from the presence of the Lord. So they asked Jonah, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" He replied, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea, and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." The sailors did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, "Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased." Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this, the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him (Jonah 1:10-16).
The sailors ended up believing in the God of Jonah because they could see God's power through the storm. At the beginning of the storm, they were praying to their own gods, but in the end, they prayed to Jonah's God and offered sacrifices to Him. Sadly for Jonah, his sin led him to try to kill himself. Romans 6:23 says that the consequence of sin is death. No matter how exciting and entertaining a sin is, it still leads us to destruction. Many have followed the way of sin and destroyed what is good in their lives. Satan is very clever and wise. He tempts the desire of our flesh to lead us away from God, and then when we bite on his temptation, he leads us to destruction. The ways of this world can never fill the longing of our hearts. We will keep on searching but never be satisfied. But all along, God is there to offer His ways to lead us to life, joy, and peace. However, we have to choose to walk in His ways.
Many Christians today are still unwilling to fully walk in the ways of God because they hope that this world can give them the desires of their hearts. However, they will keep being disappointed because God's way is the only way we can be satisfied. Jonah lost his joy in the Lord and was thrown overboard because he chose to please himself instead of God.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you) What can I do to return to God? Am I willing to return to walk in God's way? What happens when I keep trying to pursue the desires of my heart without God?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you are the only one who can give me peace and joy in my heart. The ways of this world can never satisfy the longing of my heart. Please help me to walk in your ways, and if I haven't been walking in your ways, please bring me back to you. I confess all my sins to you and give me the courage to return to the fellowship of believers so that I can be encouraged again. In your name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.