The story of Jonah is familiar to most of us. It is one of the popular Bible stories in Sunday School that has taught many children a powerful lesson on obedience and faithfulness to God’s call. We always enjoy the story; especially during the time when Jonah became the first man who had a submarine ride in the belly of a whale.

All of us could relate to the life of Jonah in so many ways. I followed Jonah’s example when I decided to come to the US more than 40 years ago and left my father alone in the ministry. I learned that God did not need me to bless Lighthouse. He called me to give me the blessed opportunity to serve Him, but I ran away from that responsibility.

My life was like Jonah many times over when I complained about some circumstances in my life that I am not so pleased about. Through this, the Lord taught me learn to appreciate whatever I have and in whatever situation I am in.

I was like Jonah when I think negatively and ill of others and when I prefer that they be judged and punished, instead of getting right with God. I am also like Jonah when I decide to change my course or direction even after God tells me specifically where to go and what to do.

While we can learn much from Jonah’s life, his story also teaches us many wonderful things about our great God! He was so gracious when He gave another opportunity for the people of Nineveh to repent. God did not just wait for them to repent on their own for He knew they would fail. He sent the prophet Jonah to warn them and to instruct them on what to do, to avoid God’s wrath.

God could have proceeded to judge the nation but He patiently waited for Jonah to do his job of warning them. He extended His hand of grace by making sure that Jonah did his job.

The greatest and the most comforting truth about our gracious God is the fact that He always hears our cries. He heard Jonah’s cries as he tried to reach out to Him, even when it was his disobedience that caused his suffering. But God is never pleased to see His children suffer. Because He cares, He will always reach out and help us be aware of why we suffer and what we must do to end it.

When we find ourselves miserable and weak because of our sins and wrong decisions, we should immediately cry unto God and He will listen to us. In fact, God is always aware of our situations. But He keeps waiting for us to confess, and patiently waiting for us to yield. He is always gracious and ready to forgive and restore.

God is never far away and He is never too busy to hear our cries. Yes, He hates sin and cannot look at our sins. But He hears our cries, even our complaints, and our angry outbursts. He listens with grace and understanding. Like a loving mother, who knows the cries of her children. She knows if it is a cry of hunger, frustration, and anger.

God is more than that. He knows how to respond to our different cries. We do not see Him but we can feel His presence and His care. When He hears us cry, He quickly moves to comfort us by working and directing us to His Word. He uses circumstances to help us understand and find comfort. He allows us, sometimes, to go deeper into despair to make us realize we are weak and in need of His strength.

I remember one time when I was being rescued from nearly getting drowned. I was told not to fight, to relax and not make any effort, and be as weak as I can so the lifeguard could rescue and save me. This is what God does. Sometimes, we think He wants us to suffer more, but actually, He only wants to make us realize that our strength is useless when God is present to help us. We have to completely trust Him and be under His control.

Jonah experienced being in a place where no one could ever reach and find him. He was probably confused and unsure of where he was. Inside the belly of the whale was a place of hopelessness. A place where only God has the power to reach. Similarly, when we find ourselves in a place where it is completely blocked in all directions, the only way is above. We can always cry out loud to God. Jonah did and the Lord heard his cry and God commanded the whale to throw him up and out in the shores of Nineveh.

Conclusion:

You might be acting and showing yourself happy and laughing on the outside, but you are miserable and crying within. Your friends and loved ones cannot see you suffering and you are hiding your tears so you can be strong for someone that you care and love.

God knows your cries. He knows your heart and sees your tears. If you cannot appear weak to the people you love because they need you; you can always show how weak you are before the Lord. He is only waiting for you to trust Him. Why don’t you do that right now?

Maybe you have experienced God’s care and comfort when He helped you with your cries of sorrow and despair. Now is the time for you to be God’s instrument to comfort others. We are God’s eyes and His hands to reach out and touch those who are troubled and crying. Do you care enough to reach out and touch someone? Can you hear their cries?

“Reach Out and Touch”

Reach out and touch a soul that is hungry,

Reach out and touch a spirit in despair;

Reach out and touch a life torn and dirty,

A man who is lonely…If you care!

Reach out and touch that neighbor who hates you;

Reach out and touch that stranger who meets you;

Reach out and touch the brother who needs you; Reach out and let the smile of God touch through you. Reach out and touch a friend who is weary;

Reach out and touch a seeker unaware;

Reach out and touch, though touching means losing

A part of your own self…If you dare!

Reach out and give your love to the loveless;

Reach out and make a home for the homeless.

Reach out and shed God’s light in the darkness.

Reach out and let the smile of God touch through you.