Have you ever been going through your day and suddenly trouble came out of nowhere. Your mind swarms with curiosity and question. What’s happening? Where did this come from? Did you harm someone? Could it be that this came from your crowd? Are you guilty by association? For real, who’s troubling the water?
The Story: Jonah 1
In Jonah 1, God told Jonah to go to Ninevah to pronounce judgement on the people. However, Jonah took a detour. He went to the farthest trading city and boarded a boat. While attempting to avoid the plan of God, the Almighty sent a mighty wind that created a raging sea and almost destroyed the boat. In the middle of the seeming calamity, Jonah slept at the bottom of the boat.
However, the crew hastily tried to avert a disaster. Yet, their efforts were no match for the anger of God. As a result, the captain awakened Jonah, inquired about how he could sleep at a time like this, and requested him to call on his god for help. The crew decided to cast lots to determine the source of the situation. Of course, Jonah was the culprit. Therefore, the crew wanted to know everything about the passenger.
From their discovery, the crew had a decision to make. Although Jonah asked them to throw him overboard, they decided to row harder. After the crew finally accepted the ineffectiveness of their useless efforts, they threw Jonah overboard, and repented for their actions. In the end, the belly of the fish carried Jonah safely for three days and nights.
The Lesson
How many times have we found ourselves like the crew? Trouble comes upon us and we fight diligently against the storm. After no success, we ask for insight from those around us. Pray. Then survey the crowd again. Find the answer, but decide to fight the problem rather than follow the solution. Finally, we make the decision to separate from the problem and pray that there’s no further repercussions.
Unfortunately, we refuse to seek God first for help nor do we acknowledge what has been evident for quite awhile. But what can we do? Do we continue to row despite the condition of the boat? Do we ignore who’s troubling the water? Of course not.
- Seek God. Psalm 50:15 tells us to call upon God in trouble and He will rescue us.
- Survey the crowd. Proverbs 5:20-21 advises us to surround ourselves with wise people and refrain from fools.
- Make the tough decisions. James 1:5-6 encourages us to ask God for wisdom to make difficult decisions.
- Rest in God. Isaiah 41:10 comforts us when we’ve sought the Lord because He will strengthen us.
Furthermore, we must discover who’s troubling the water. Is it us, someone in the crowd, and/or God? Regardless of the source, God is our help. As we seek and surrender to Him, we will again find peaceful waters.
