Fruitful Fear
“ So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows .” Jonah 1 : 15 - 16 NKJV It is highly instructive that the same life’s experiences that brought foolish fear out of Jonah made fruitful fear out of the mariners enroute Tarshish (needless to underscore the prompt repentance of the city of Nineveh). And like most people are perpetually devoted to running away from the presence of the Lord, Jonah’s foolish fear recommended (1) disobedience to the commandment of the Lord; (2) soliciting the assistance of the mariners to commit suicide; (3) annoyance with the extension of the mercy of God to Ninevah; and (4) soliciting the assistance of God to commit suicide. He was probably thinking “ What else can I do to get emphasis on the POWER of God (i.e., presence, obedience, will, enterprise, and righteousness) out of my affairs? ”. Whereas, God is everywhere...