Jonah 2:8 - Dont Settle for False Fixes.
Jonah 2:8 (CEV) All who worship worthless
idols turn from the God who offers them mercy.
Jonah 2:8 (NIV) Those who cling to worthless
idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
Jonah 2:8 (NLT) Those who worship false gods
turn their backs on all Gods mercies.
Jonah 2:8 (HCSB) Those who cling to
worthless idols forsake faithful love,
INTRODUCTION
These verses provide a remarkably astute
assessment of the nature of salvation. Those who pursue
worthless idols forsake the mercy that God
provides. Salvation is of the Lord as His
precious gift. [Believers SB]
Those who worship worthless idols (false
gods) forfeit God's grace and abandon any hope for
mercy from the Lord. Any object of our devotion
that replaces God is a lying vanity. We deceive
ourselves with something that is ultimately empty and
foolish. Make sure that nothing takes God's rightful
place in your life. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
When were in trouble, were often
tempted to find some sort of quick fix - or at least
something that will relieve our stress.
Peoples families may be falling apart.
Their finances may be falling apart. Their careers
may be falling apart. Their health may be
falling apart. With their backs against the wall,
they try everything imaginable to solve the
problem. Everything, that is, except asking God for
help.
We need to reject any attempts at a false
fix, and instead turn to God for help.
Jonah had time to think about this when
he was stuck in the belly of a big fish.
Heres what he prayed: All who worship worthless
idols turn from the God who offers them mercy
(Jonah 2:8 CEV).
Today we dont carve idols. But we
still have them. Some of us idolize our cars.
Others of us idolize our homes or our clothes.
Sometimes people idolize fortune, wealth, or fame.
Anything we place above God is an idol.
The only solution for our problems is the
grace of God. Anytime we turn to something else,
were turning to an idol.
Years ago my family was on vacation, and
because I like learning about rocks and minerals, we
went into a store that sold the kinds of rocks
people collect. There was a whole section of quartz
crystals that supposedly could solve a variety of
problems. For instance, the descriptions claimed the
crystals could provide contentment and confidence or
supposedly create a protective shield or even give you
some sort of psychic intuition.
But I knew they wouldnt help me with
any of those things.
In fact, the crystals and the promises
about them reminded me of Romans 1:25: They
exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped
and served created things rather than the
Creator (NIV).
When you choose to believe something,
other than God will solve your problems, youre
placing your trust in an intimate object. Your
serving a created thing rather than the Creator
himself.
When Jonah was at the bottom of the ocean
in a big fish, he didnt turn to an idol. He
trusted God to help - and God came through.
God will do the same for you. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Today's Scripture reads, "Those who cling
to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could
be theirs." We probably do this every day. We
forfeit grace - sweet favor from heaven - that could
have been ours. It's there for us, wrapped up in
a beautiful package with a bow on top -
strength, patience, endurance, supernatural insight,
miraculous provision, and providential timing. The
grace of God is abundantly available to us every
day, but all too often we forfeit it, give it up,
and let it go in order to invest in personal
idols. What idols? It might be the idol of food,
alcohol, TV, computer games, sports, Facebook, or
certain relationships. When these things - not
sinful in themselves - replace the time we might
have spent seeking God in His Word and in prayer,
we lose the grace that could have been ours.
But when we loosen our grip on these things and
stop clinging to them, we find the capacity and
ability to accept His grace, letting it fill our
hearts and minds.
Lord, it's no small thing to forfeit Your
blessing on my life. I know there are days when I
value certain comforts or preoccupations above
time with You. It seems like a good decision at
the time, but what have I lost? What have I
forfeited? How I need Your grace! I want nothing less
than the full measure today. [A Spectacle of
Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Isaiah 59:1, 2 - How Does Sin Separate Us
From God And His Blessings.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050502-1812.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
