He Hears Your Voice

He Hears Your Voice by Kirk Hunt

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said:

“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction,
And He answered me.

“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
And You heard my voice.”

Jonah 2:1–2 NKJV

Out of the boat and inside the fish, Jonah prayed. Finally, instead of rebelling, Jonah decided to talk with God. God had been waiting and listening all along.

Jonah’s naked rebellion could not have been clearer. God ordered him to walk east to Nineveh. Jonah sailed west to Tarshish. A less merciful God could have justly burned Jonah alive on the dock. God was not obligated to indulge Jonah’s resistance and revolt.

Too often we take our privilege with God for granted. Men and women respond to God’s commandments and direction with willfulness and defiance. Then we have the nerve to be surprised and offended when things do not go our way.

Are you ready to speak with God yet? Are you not tired of your fruitless attempt(s) to flee Him? Has His discipline not penetrated your willfulness yet?

God patiently waits for you to turn and speak with Him. Despite it all, He loves you. No matter what you did or said before, He is waiting for you to come to Him and speak.

Maybe you are angry. Perhaps you are scared. You might be confused. No matter where you are, stop and talk to Father-God.

Like any good father, He is waiting for His beloved child to talk to Him. The creator of the universe is waiting for you to speak. Here and now is a perfect time to let Him hear from you.

Think: When I get tired of my rebellion, God is ready to listen.

Pray: “Lord, thank you for listening to me.”

 

Copyright © February 2020, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Prepared Belly

Prepared Belly by Kirk Hunt

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

The fish, large enough to swallow a man (or woman) whole, met Jonah at the appointed time and place. The belly, prepared by God, gave an intimate residence to God’s prophet. For 72 hours, Jonah had the time and opportunity to consider who is in charge of whom.

Moses stood before a burning bush. Elijah heard a still, small voice. An angel appeared to Gideon. To men and women who are not resisting Him, God speaks and they give their attention readily. For those who resist Him, God creates circumstance that command your attention.

Keep in mind that resisting God is not the same thing as rejecting God. Jonah, as a prophet had accepted his calling from God. Still the prophet decided to be disobedient and resistant to God’s will. Jonah decided he did not want to be obedient regarding Nineveh, but did not reject God altogether. Jonah wanted his own way and to retain his place and privilege with God.

In the belly of the fish, God gave Jonah the time and space to consider his decisions and choices. God prepared a place and (cramped) space for Jonah to remember who is in charge of creation. Under God’s gracious discipline, Jonah remembered that mere men ought to obey God the first time He speaks.

God’s discipline helps us remember who is supposed to obey whom. The prepared belly of a circumstance is from God’s love and grace. Take the opportunity to end your resistance to hear and obey Him.

Think: Does God have my attention? How might God command my attention?

Pray: “Lord, I want to listen and attend to You, when You speak to me.”

 

Copyright © February 2020, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.