DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- RUNNING FROM GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – RUNNING FROM GOD

"But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.  He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD…..Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, 'Why have you done this?' For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them."  (Jonah 1:3, 10)

I have heard people speak about the "Hound of Heaven" – that even though they try to run away from God, He just keeps after them.  Jonah was just such a person.  No matter how hard he tried, He just couldn't escape.

Three times, we are told that Jonah was fleeing from the presence of the LORD.  He did not want to hear God's call on his life.  He thought that if he could just get away from his home in Israel that he could evade God's radar.  He wanted to get as far away as possible.  

 We know that it is impossible to get away from God's presence because He is everywhere.  He is omni-present.  As the Psalmist wrote:  "Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there" (Psalm 138:7-8).  Jeremiah asked a similar question: "Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?' says the LORD" (Jeremiah 23:24).

   

The wicked, especially, say, "The LORD does not see" (Psalm 94:7).  But He sees everything.

So if I think I can pull the wool over God's eyes or get away from His presence, I need to think again.

Love, Dad