The Ease and the Pain in Fleeing from God's Will

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Jonah 1:1-3 (KJV)

1. Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

1. The Will of God Is Found in His Word . . . "The word of the Lord came unto Jonah . . ."
   Many people wish God would speak as clearly to them as He did to Jonah! What they don't realize is that He has! God speaks to you through His Word. His Word contains His Will!
   1. His Word is always personal . . . The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai."
      One of the reasons why you may not hear God speak is because you have not trained yourself to listen! A message, a sermon, a devotion, or a scripture is to be appropriated.
   2. His Word is not always pleasant . . . "Arise, go to Nineveh . . . and cry against it . . ."
      Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire (a Gentile city).
      
      This city was cursed!
      1. If Jonah went to Nineveh and preached the judgment of God, some might repent.
      2. If that were to happen Israel would mock Jonah a Gentile prophet!
      God is more interested in the purposes for your life than he is the comforts of your life.
2. The Way from God Always Leads Down . . . "But Jonah rose to flee . . . and went down . . ."
   Things never look up when a Christian runs from God. He will only get further down in life.
   1. However, it is often easier to run from God than to obey Him.
      1. He found a ship . . . how convenient! A ship was ready for Jonah.
      2. He found some shipmates . . . Jonah was not alone in his journey. You can always find a friend who will join you in your rebellion and you'll always find a way to run.
   2. Though it is often easy, it is always painful to run from God.
      Jonah "paid the fare thereof." There is a high cost when you say "No" to God in your life.
      1. God's presence is gone. It's not that God's gone, but you can't sense His presence. Sin has a way of making the Father invisible in the eyes of His child.
      2. You are NOT in control. The person running from God usually believes he is taking control of his life, not allowing anybody to tell him what to do. In reality, you will find yourself like Jonah, completely dependent upon everything but you.
3. The Way to God Is Found in Repentance . . . "Thou art a gracious God, and merciful . . ."
   Have you ever thought about why Jonah fled from the will of God? He didn't like the idea of the Assyrians hearing the message of God's judgment and repenting of their sins! In chapter 4:1-4 Jonah tells us that he knew God to be a gracious God to those who repent.
   1. There is no sin beyond the reach of God's grace . . . the Assyrians experienced it!
   2. There is no hope beyond a sincere repentance of one's sin. God is merciful to those with a broken heart. Repentance naturally follows the heart that is truly broken over sin.