Monday, September 7 Jonah: Directionally Challenged You were created on purpose, and with a purpose! Say that a few times to yourself then write down why you think you were created and what is the purpose of your life. The heart of the scriptural narrative is the pursuit for humanity to understand the deep questions that have faced every generation. These questions sit at the core of our being. When we find the answers, we find the core of our being. And the answers always lead us back to God! Jonah, it would seem, was created for a purpose. What was that purpose? To be sent to bear witness to God s message! Yet, he chooses a different path. How often in life do we have this deep sense of purpose and we either ignore it or run from it? The nudges from God are invitations to live into our purpose, our call. Most often, the initial nudges are scary! What nudges do you sense from God in your life right now? Tuesday, September 8 Today, read Jonah 1 again. If you had to describe Jonah s temperament through this chapter, what words would you use? Write those words down. Then, imagine what kind of response Jonah should have had, and write those words down.
The faithful life is one in which we continue to grow and learn. Jonah s life choices are reflective of what is going on deeper inside himself. Many commentators identify Jonah as being symbolic of the faith reflected in Israel at this same time. They too were rebellious towards God s call and apathetic about their faith. In a real sense, they had forgotten their purpose! Two Sunday s ago, we talked being lukewarm where we neither are a source of healing or refreshing. It seems this fits Jonah s story. For you, what is the purpose of our faith? What tangible differences does it make in your life, in your family, and in your community? Pray today that God would help you live the second list today! 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." 3 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. 4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish." 7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?" 9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." 10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) 11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." 13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. 17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Wednesday, September 9 We are invited to trust in something greater than us. We ll see in the later chapters of Jonah why he ran the opposite direction! Yet today, let s focus on that word- Trust. What does it mean to trust another? Who do you fully trust in your life? Lastly, what happens when someone breaks your trust?
The Proverbs help us gain insight into the idea of trust. We are invited to trust in something greater than us- God- and when we do that, then all other things funnel down from there. Read Proverbs 3:1-12. What is the promise if we trust in God (and follow!)? Jesus said it quite simply- I came to give life and to give it abundantly! God has always wanted us to live full, whole, and amazing lives! God isn t out to punish us, but to help us thrive. What is one tangible way that you can trust in the Lord with all your heart today? 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Thursday, September 10 At times, we struggle with the trust in the Lord stuff because we don t know whether God will really be with us in our times of need, concern or questioning. One of the goals of the Jewish people, and Christians as well, is to help tell our story of God s action in our world to the next generation. Many times, as we share our sacred story, it bolsters our trust while inspiring others. We are reminded that it has been this way for thousands of years! One way that we pass on our story of God s relationship with humanity is through our scriptures. They are full of stories of God s faithfulness to a people that aren t always faithful! Today, read Psalm 121. If Jonah had lived by this Psalm, what would have been different in his life? How might he have trusted God in the midst of going into the belly of the evil Assyrian Empire? Today, read through this Psalm one more time slowly. What message do you hear today? 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Friday, September 11 Living into our sacred story is an invitation to continue the story. Imagine, the actions of God didn t end at the end of our scriptures, they go on today! The United Church of Christ boldly proclaims that God is still speaking! How is God speaking today? Perhaps through the continued experience of God s people trying to understand the intersection of God s acts and our responses in our day and age! If you were to add your story into the Grand Story of God s work in the world, how would your story be written? What moments clearly show God s work in you, around you and through you? Many don t believe they have a story to tell that s not true! Everyone s story is good, important and inspiring! Today, try to write out 5 highlights from your life story! What are the moments that have defined you and how was God present? Then read Psalm 115 and acknowledge God s role in your life! 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; 6 they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; 7 they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. 9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield. 11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield. 12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD-- small and great alike. 14 May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD. Saturday, September 12 Tomorrow, we dive into A Whale of a Tale! We ll explore Jonah 1:17-2:10. First, write down what you think you know about the story of Jonah and the whale. Then, read through it again and see how much of it you recalled! Lastly, what does Jonah do in the belly of the great fish? What was the heart of his prayer?
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.' 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. 9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." 10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.