One of the funniest things to watch is a baby as he/she begins to “feel their oats” and tries to start crawling. They sort of look like a cross between a turtle with too big of a belly and a weakling trying to do pushups. In last week’s message/post, I talked about Jonah running from God. Running from God always has its consequences. ALWAYS. Do you remember the scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest begins running, and then keeps on running? He ran through all kinds of weather. He steps in something in the road and a slogan develops. He wipes his face with a towel someone gives him and a happy face appears. But then one day, Forrest quit running. It was almost like he woke up from a long nightmare, realized what he was doing, and just quit. Do I really need to make the spiritual application for that? I don’t think so. You all are smarter than that.
But…there does come a point in every person’s life that he/she must stop running, especially from God. In 1893 Francis Thompson published a poem called “The Hound of Heaven.” In 1978 Christian rock band, Daniel Amos, wrote a song called Hound of Heaven which included the lyrics: “You can’t run, you can’t hide from the Hound of Heaven/You’re free to choose or refuse the seeker of souls.” To hear the song go here. (Warning: be prepared for a probing song).
So…when a person stops running, what is left? In Jonah’s case it was to come crawling back to God. Sure, he had some incentive. I seriously doubt the inside of a big fish’s stomach would be the most ideal place to be. 😉 In fact, let me take a stab at this: I can think of a whole lot better places to be!! But it became the perfect time for a course change. What happens to a person who is stopped by God while in his rebellion, and then takes stock of where he has been? Let’s ask it this way: what does a person do when the Hound of Heaven pursues you? How hard was it to catch you?
I will be preaching from Jonah 2 this week in my series on Transformed by Grace. I sure would appreciate your prayers for this Sunday. Thanks ahead of time.
One more thing: if you read yesterday’s post, you know that I am offering 4 free copies of the book, Unfinished Love. Would you mind promoting it by using your fb and Twitter accounts? I am seriously not interested in broadening my readership for the sake of numbers. I want as many people as possible to know about this book and to have a chance to win. Thanks a bunch.
Praying for your message this week right now, Bill. And I think I missed your previous post – will check it out now.
I messed up Dustin. I failed to change the date so it posted as though earlier in the week. Correction made. Please check out the one on The”C”Word.
Hi Bill,
I’m trying to think of examples in scripture of someone crawling back to God. The ones that I can think of are the prodigal son, Esau when he sought the return of his birthright and blessing, King David after he sinned with Bathsheba and committed murder for her? The Israelites in captivity.
For these there were consequences. Some were not able to come back, for example Esau, and others came back at a cost to themselves and at a cost that others had to pay along with them. Eg. David’s first son with Bathsheba died while still an infant because of David’s sin apparently.
Rebellion against God is a place we do not want to be found. My thinking is that in this place we may or may not get back to God. In the example we have in scripture of the nation of Israel rebelling against God only a remnant made it back to Jerusalem.
There are times that it is hard/impossible to crawl back. It is not God’s end of the deal but man’s. Thanks for commenting Linda.
I will definitely be praying for you this week!!
Much appreciated.
I’ve had the hound of heaven chase me before when I wanted to ignore sins I had committed. I knew I had to confess to those I offended, but that would be really awkward. But eventually I broke down and just had to confess. This incredible sense of peace came over me, I was forgiven, and I’ve never forgot it.
When we consider the peace lost vs peace gained, I have to wonder why in the world I ran to begin with. Never forget that peace. Good thought Loren. Thanks.
What happens to a person who is stopped by God…
several years ago I was running. I’d never really run from God before. I mean turn and run..ignore..prodigal son kind of running.
His Spirit never left. I tried to ignore the quiet voice – but He never left. I finally reached a point where I couldn’t do it anymore. I was miserable. God didn’t beat me over the head or punish me – He loved on me, forgave me, and picked me up.
praying for your sermon this weekend Bill.
His Spirit never leaves but a lot of other things do: peace, joy, contentment, to name a few. What a joy to know we are loved! thanks for your prayers Craig.
There have been times that I have run and His Spirit would not let me rest. I am so glad that he did!
Prayed for you!
So glad His Spirit will not let us rest. Thanks for your prayers.
Why does one run from God unless he is afraid or filled with guilt? Adam and Eve were the first examples of this. Believers and atheists alike feel guilt at one time or another. Some, all the time. God will engineer an opportunity to get you back on track, eventually. Its quite egotistical to think you can dodge the Creator of everything. Recently, I have engaged in conversations on a FB forum called Creation Moments Forum. Many there, are running from God. Many, don’t realize it. We should pray for wisdom in dealing with such individuals, as well as, the ability to see it in ourselves.
If anyone on this blog would like to join Creation Moments Forum, email me at ejvariety@yahoo.com for an invite. It is a closed forum. It is a good place to test your spiritual condition.
It is egotistical to think we can dodge Him. Thanks for the link.
Bill, have I found something else we have in common? Are we both Daniel Amos fans?
Later Daniel Amos from Horrendous Disk on. I didn’t care for the country style. 🙂 I used to have all three of the Alarma Chronicles.
what do we do when He pursues us?…
Ask Saul…aka Paul…
Exactly.
What happens when we are stopped by God? To our knees will we fall and the first step back is always on your knees. It was easy to catch me but extremely hard for me to recognize I was running!
No missing the point here Tom. You are so right.
Hey Bill. Just wanted to tell you that this spoke deeply to me.I have been working on a couple songs that speak directly to this message. Been reading Tami’s posts on FB and one of her posts led me to this link. Will talk soon. Love and miss you all so very much.
Bob: you have no clue how good it is to hear from you. I miss spending time just sitting and talking with you. Hope you are liking your new job. Happy birthday today btw.
Bob is my b-i-l (Jo’s brother)
I’m so thankful for His relentless pursuit.
Will definitely lift you and your church in my prayers.
I am thankful also Jon. Thanks for the prayers.
When a person finally gives into the will of God, something supernatural happens… Wisdom; the most precious commodity in all of the world. “?Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
To look back upon a wasted part of our life serving our flesh, which is the definition of selfishness, is to see through the eyes of God. We see sin, we see waste, but mostly we see love.
You had a great point a few days back on this very issue. It isn’t God’s punishment, it is HIs unfailing love to do what it takes to turn us to true life in Him.
I’m praying for your sermon this week, may God use you as a catalyst for change. May it start in your church and spread across this land and change the hearts of the people to one of repentance. May He heal our nation.
“Blessed is the nation who’s God is the Lord.”
You are right Floyd. Serving the flesh is a wasted life. I am glad for His unfailing love. Thanks for the comment.
Thank God that hound never gives up. Praying for you not only for this weekend, but every day 🙂
Glad He doesn’t also Ed. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Love the fact that He has never given up on me…wish I could say the same about Him…but I’m thanking God everyday for His grace.
Praying for you bro’
As am I Jay. Thanks for your prayers. Really thankful for His grace.
I’m so thankful God doesn’t give up on us…..praying for you always Bill.
I am too Jan. Thanks for the prayers.
I have been to the woodshed more than I care to say. I have been humbled and broken. He who began a good work…will finish it:-)
Like your way of putting it Ike. Wondering how Carol is doing.