Devotionals

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Can you sleep while traveling by vehicle, train, plane, or ship? Some people drift off as soon as they close their eyes. Others arrive at their destination with blood-shot eyes and a head ache. Sleep eludes them until they are at home in the comfort of their own bed. In the past I could only rest or doze off briefly. Now, I can nod off during a brief day trip. I feel like I’ve been sedated. My eyes keep closing; and soon I’m asleep sitting up in my car seat.


Jonah boarded a ship, in an effort to distance himself from God and his commands. We can not out run or out maneuver the Lord. The prophet did not desire chit-chat with the crew. He isolated himself and fell asleep. God knew exactly where to find the runaway. He sent a violent storm to shake Jonah up. (Jonah 1:1-4) “The sailors were frightened, and they all started praying to their gods. They even threw the ship’s cargo over-board to make the ship lighter. All this time, Jonah was down below deck, sound asleep. The ship’s captain went to him and said, How can you sleep at a time like this? Get up and pray to your God! Maybe he will have pity on us and keep us from drowning (Jonah 1:5-6 CEV).”


The finger of blame pointed directly at Jonah. He had no doubt God created the storm. He coaxed the crew into throwing him over-board and the storm subsided. Any pre-school Sunday School class can give you the exciting climax: Jonah is swallowed by a great fish, prays like never before, is rejected by his form of transportation, and reaches his original destination of Nineveh. He reluctantly delivers God’s message and has a pity party. If he could sleep in the storm tossed ship he could block out the sound of his convicting conscience.

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