Reflections: Running from God doesn’t work, and that’s good

My morning devotions recently moved into the Old Testament book of Jonah. Scholars believe the book was written by Jonah himself about God’s instructions, Jonah’s attempt to circumvent those instructions, and what he learned from the experience. 

Anyone raised in church probably heard about “Jonah and the big fish” in Sunday school. Many of us can summarize Jonah’s disobedience, amazing rescue, and change of heart; but for me, the story’s various lessons have grown deeper with life experience. 

For starters, what in the world was Jonah thinking? God clearly instructed him to go and preach in Nineveh. His hesitation was understandable—the Ninevites were Assyrians, known for cruel treatment of the people they conquered. Chapter 1, verse 3 tells us, “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.” 

He ran from God? Really? As a prophet in Israel, Jonah was likely familiar with the ongoing story from Creation to Abraham to God’s active intervention in Israel’s history with both obedient and disobedient kings. The idea of thinking he could physically run from the God who created the heavens and earth seems preposterous. 

Sometimes, God’s omnipresence and omniscience are comforting to think about. For example, David wrote, “You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways” (Psalm 139:2-3). David had his own ups and downs regarding obedience, but found comfort knowing God still loved and would sustain him. Whether facing enemies or needing forgiveness, David could say, “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” (v. 7) 

Sometimes, like David, I find comfort in meditating on God’s Word, thanking Him for his constant care and the Holy Spirit’s presence. Reading those first verses of Jonah, though, I have to be honest: Sometimes I’ve felt God’s prompting to speak to someone, forgive someone, or take a step forward in faith, and thought, “Oh, no, not that!” I haven’t been asked—yet—to share the Gospel at risk of imprisonment or torture, but many brave Christians in restricted countries have done so. In that situation, would I be tempted to think like Jonah and run the opposite direction? 

In an interesting coincidence, as I wrote this, Assemblies of God General Superintendent Doug Clay shared in a social media post, “Don’t rethink God just because tough times come.” That’s sort of what Jonah did. I’m asking God to help me remember that in good times, sad times, or scary times, running from Him isn’t just unwise; it’s impossible. Instead, I pray that I embrace his presence, thank Him for his provision and obey.