SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/12/2025 8:06 AM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-1 “A Heart of Consecration”
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 2:8-9
Message of the verses: “8 “Those who regard vain idols Forsake their lovingkindness, 9 But as for me, I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from YAHWEH.’”
I have to say that I see a different Jonah in this section we have been looking at including this section, but I don’t think that this will change his heart which is something that really needs to happen. Now in response to God’s might power as seen in Jonah 2:1-2, and merciful presence as seen in 2:3-7, Jonah expressed a heart of grateful consecration to the Lord. Jonah had formerly rebelled against the commands of the Lord, but now he committed himself to honor God with offerings of praise and acts of obedience (2:9). Jonah’s words reflected a change of heart, indicating the reality of his repentance—transformation that produces fruits of worship and obedience. Let us look at a couple of verses that speaks to this last sentence: “8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;” (Matthew 3:8). “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Gal. 5:22).
John MacArthur writes “Jonah’s repentance included a denunciation of false religion, as expressed by his attitude toward idols (cf. 1 Thess. 1:9). Jonah exclaimed, ‘Those who regard worthless idols forsake their lovingkindness.’ Distancing himself from those who chase after false gods (cf. Ps. 115:3-8; 135:15-18; Isa. 44:9-20; 46:5-7; Jer. 10:3-16; Rom. 1:21-25), Jonah rejected the worship of worthless idols. Literally, the phrase pointed out, pagan deities are as useless as they are powerless, being nothing more than demonic figments of imagination (cf. Isa. 44:9-20; 46:6-7; Acts 19:26; 1 Cor. 8:4; 19:19-20; Gal. 4:8). Jonah’s experience, both in the storm and in the sea, proved the impotence of false gods in contrast to the powerful presence of the true God. It was Yahweh alone who sent the wind, sparked the storm, controlled the sea, spared the sailors, directed the fish, and answered Johan’s prayer for deliverance.”
Today is Sunday, and I try and do my Spiritual Diaries before leaving for Sunday school, and church, and thus this makes them a bit shorter than on other days of the week.
Spiritual meaning For my Life Today: There are times when I get my toes stepped on from the Word of God, and I suppose that is one of the reasons that I read and study the Word of God. It was from Matthew 3:8 that the Word of God stepped on my toes this morning: 8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Repentance means a change of heart, going from doing wrong to realizing it and then desire to do things right. 1 John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” John is saying if we agree with the Lord that we have sinned He is faithful and righteous because of His work on the cross to forgive us of our sins.
10/12/2025 8:39 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment