IN THE STORM
Jonah 1.4-16

Last week, we discussed the WHY: Jonah bolted because God was sending him to Nineveh, known for their evil and cruelty. Jonah buys a ticket for Tarshish.

The writer of Jonah loves the word “down.”
• Jonah went down to Joppa (v1,3)
• He went down to the ship (v3)
• He went down into the inner part of the ship (v5)
• There, he laid down (v5)
• And he went down into the sea, into the belly of a fish.

Isn’t that how it works? Small steps until you realize you’re completely underwater.

Jonah 1.4–6 (ESV) The Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

C. S. Lewis: “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Hebrews 12.6-7 (NLT) says, “The Lord disciplines those He loves.” When storms hit, we may grumble, “Why me?” For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

God hasn’t given up on us. He loves us enough to shake us awake.

Verse 5 says, “Each cried out to his god.” That’s what people do in storms: they run to their gods. But false gods can’t calm real storms.

What do storms do?
• Storms reveal our gods. Who do you turn to first when life falls apart? That’s your god.
• Storms remind us of God’s sovereignty. Storms show us we’re not in control.
• Storms redirect us.
• Storms bring unexpected conversions. Jonah wasn’t aiming to evangelize sailors, but his storm became their salvation.

Jonah: “Worst Missionary of All Time”
• He didn’t want to go.
• He hated those to whom he was being sent.
• He literally begged people to kill him so he wouldn’t have to preach.

Why worship God even in our storms:
• God loves us enough to send storms. Storms are not punishment but rescue missions.
• Knowledge without obedience is useless. Jonah knew the right God but lived the wrong way.
• Our storms may lead others to salvation. Your struggle might become someone else’s testimony.
• The storm is not the end. Jonah went down, but grace was waiting even in the deep.

Jonah’s storm led sailors to worship and eventually led Jonah to repentance. What might God be up to in your storm?

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise