What steps can we take to align our actions with God's will today? Setting the Scene “ ‘What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?’ —for the sea was growing more and more tempestuous.” (Jonah 1:11) Recognizing the Storm • The raging sea is a literal event and a vivid picture of what disobedience unleashes. • God’s purposes cannot be thwarted; running from Him only intensifies the turmoil (Psalm 139:7-10). • The sailors sensed that action was needed; neutrality in the face of divine instruction was impossible. Step 1: Receive God’s Word with an Obedient Heart • Jonah had heard God’s clear command but chose flight (Jonah 1:2-3). • Scripture today speaks with the same authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Aligning with His will begins by treating every biblical command as non-negotiable. • “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Step 2: Own the Sin and Confess • Jonah admitted, “I know that this great storm is upon you because of me” (v. 12). • Genuine confession refuses to shift blame (Psalm 51:3-4). • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). • Humility before God clears the way for restored fellowship. Step 3: Repent through Concrete Action • The sailors sought the tangible step that would halt the storm; Jonah eventually offered himself (vv. 12-15). • Repentance is more than words; it produces visible fruit (Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20). • Practical alignment today may include forgiving someone, returning stolen property, or ending a sinful habit. • Delay keeps the waters churning; prompt obedience brings calm. Step 4: Submit to God’s Sovereign Direction • Jonah’s surrender placed him in God’s hands—even inside a fish prepared by the Lord (Jonah 1:17). • Submission trusts God’s character when circumstances feel confining (Romans 12:1-2). • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). • The safest place on earth is the center of God’s will. Step 5: Trust the Redeeming Mercy of God • God used Jonah’s worst moment to display saving power to pagan sailors, who ended up fearing the LORD (v. 16). • No failure is final for those who look to His mercy (Micah 7:18-19). • In Christ, the greater Jonah, God calmed the ultimate storm of sin (Matthew 12:40; Colossians 1:20). • Confidence in that mercy fuels ongoing obedience rather than paralyzing guilt. Living It Out Today • Start each day in Scripture, inviting it to direct every decision. • Confess sin promptly; keep short accounts with God. • Replace mere intentions with specific, timely acts of obedience. • Rest in God’s sovereignty, even when obedience leads into unknown waters. • Celebrate His mercy, using past failures as reminders of grace and motivation for faithful living. Following these steps quiets the storms and aligns our actions with the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. |
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