Faith and Certainty?

There is a story about a man and his son. The son was on his way to seminary and the father was worried that some liberal school would undermine his son's faith. "Don't let them take Jonah out of your Bible." The older man urged. By this he meant that unless the story of Jonah is historically true in every detail, the slippery slope of liberalism had begun.

Two years later the son returned. Eager to see if his faith had been preserved the father asked, "is Jonah still in your Bible"? To this the son replied, "yes it is, but father is it in yours"? Confused, the father reached for his Bible, turned to the correct page only to find the pages had been carefully removed.
"You see," the son said, "while I was away those two years, while you worried about me and my faith, my trust in scripture, you hadn't come across those very pages that mean so much to you." Ashamed, but understanding the father understood that unless the word is alive in the heart, the pages mean little.

To me, a great irony surrounding the book of Jonah is that the very means of deciding that it is God breathed and useful are the same means used to discredit it.  The scientific approach takes things apart and asks is it possible, likely? The scientific approach wants certainty. So whether the search tells us that no fish could swallow a man, let alone have him survive three days. Or whether the same method tells us that given certain factors it is entirely possible, haven't we missed the point entirely?

Jonah is the story about God's love for all people. Is that truth clear and evident in Jonah and the rest of scripture? Is that truth more important than the size of Nineveh or the type of vine that sprang up? I hope so. Do believers need certainty to believe Jonah and keep it in their Bibles? I hope not! Isn't faith all about suspending disbelief and embracing a God who loves, guides, directs and accomplishes what's best for believer and unbeliever alike?


Are the words of 1 Corinthians 1 true, and don't they describe this issue so well? "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength."


Whether a man lived inside a fish or not is not the right question. A better question, I think, is do you see evidence of such a loving God - "a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity," (Jonah 4.2) working in your life and in the lives of those you know? If our trust in scripture is based on certainty, is faith even possible?

Down and Out?

Down and Out?

 Jonah 1-2

1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:

 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it,

because its wickedness has come up before me.”

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.

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea,

and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

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.

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.”

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.

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?”

He answered,

“I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD,

 the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

 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.)

 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?”

 “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.”

Instead, the men did their best to row back to land.

But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.

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.”

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard,

 and the raging sea grew calm.

At this the men greatly feared the LORD,

and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD

and made vows to him.

 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah,

and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.

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.

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.

I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight;

   yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’

The engulfing waters threatened me,

   the deep surrounded me;

   seaweed was wrapped around my head.

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.

“When my life was ebbing away,

   I remembered you, LORD,

   and my prayer rose to you,

   to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols

   forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

But I, with a song of thanksgiving,

   will sacrifice to you.

   What I have vowed I will make good.

   Salvation comes from the LORD.”

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

The word of the Lord goes out, a man runs away. He can run but he can’t hide. The Lord catches up with him and there you have it. The most impressive catch and release fishing trip in history.

So what’s the point of the story so far?

Is it normal to run from God?

Does running make someone bad?

Can those who are called actually escape God?

Will God forget those he’s called?

What does God do to those who run?

Or is this all summed up in verse 8?

“Those who cling to worthless idols

   forfeit the grace that could be theirs.“

That’s the verse we’ll be focusing on.

Last fall when I was teaching religion to grade four students at Ponoka Elementary. We explored the story of Solomon. Wisest man to ever live; in his early years fully devoted to God; fully embracing grace that was his by promise. Only to later turn away, forfeit that grace because he chose to serve worthless idols.

I explained it this way.

I said imagine Solomon is having conversation with God all the time. And remember, God knows everything and everything God says to Solomon is always true and best for him and the people. So when Solomon decides to get advice from so called other gods, from statues mate of metal instead of God, it would be like getting advice from a water bottle instead of a best friend.

I finished with, does that make any sense?

Ten year olds are pretty smart.  They got the point, do we?

The word worthless is harsh; in the text it means of no value to do what is required. The thing we’re talking about may be very valuable in other ways but it’s the wrong tool or choice for whatever is going on right then. For instance say you have a solid gold hammer – an award for excellence in construction - and want to drive a nail into some hard wood. That hammer won’t get the job done. The metal is too soft; it would bend or the nail would end up sinking into it. For that job your golden hammer is worthless.

Verse 8 is asking us, is there anything in life that may otherwise have value that is getting in the way of receiving grace?

Family has value and family time; work has value and doing a job well does also. Can either of those become idols that get in the way of receiving grace?

Food, drink, sports, activities from card games to quadding have value – great value. Can either of those become idols that get in the way of receiving grace?

We could list more, but the point for those types of things is always the same: priorities, moderation, balance. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Whatever, fill in the blank, do it as a response to God’s call as his child. Keeping in mind that God’s gifts are wonderful; God comes first.

Could there be anything else that is getting in the way of receiving grace?

I often ask a simple question; I’ll ask it now. When were your sins forgiven? When? When a person asks, for forgiveness, when we see Jesus at the resurrection? When?

The Bible is pretty clear. All sin was forgiven before anyone here was born. Mine, yours, Jonah’s sins were all nailed to the cross. From God’s point of view – and this applies to everyone here plus many more – the price was paid; your sins are forgiven already, even the ones you haven’t committed yet.

But has it done the average person any good? Has being forgiven made any difference? Or is anyone here their own worst enemy when it comes to getting in the way of receiving the grace that can be theirs?

The Bible is clear those who may receive the grace of God without fear or doubt are those who admit to the sin in their lives; those who believe and accept that Jesus died to remove the penalty of their sin. Those who believe that Jesus rose from the grave proving that He is God and it is Finished!

Have you acknowledged the personal debt owed?

Did Jesus die for your sin?

Did Jesus rise to give you new life?

Yes, no?

That is the gospel after all. And the result is letting grace, forgiveness shape life. When believers get this the final idol dies. The final idol, the worst one: personal pride, thinking we know it better than God.

Ever had a thought like these?

                My sin wasn’t so bad, Jesus certainly didn’t need to bother with that one, even if it was a sin.

                Or the other extreme: my sin was unforgiveable.

                Or fear: my sin really wasn’t forgiven – is God really there?

                Or pride: I haven’t suffered enough or done enough to please God.

What stopped Jonah from receiving grace?

What causes believers today from receiving grace? Isn’t it often the idol of personal pride lying and deceiving working on the fear Jesus died to remove?

When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! (John 8.36)

God’s children are forgiven, period. It’s Father’s Day isn’t that the cause of all celebration?

True, we confess ongoing sin, but only as a reminder to invite the Spirit’s power into our lives. Anything else is a misguided idea to have Jesus die all over again.

It’s wonderful when those who love Jesus take personal sin seriously; but more seriously than God? Dare we question Christ’s work on the cross? Dare we question grace? Of course no one deserves it. That’s good reason to dance and sing!

We live in the time of grace, confession, grace, celebration, grace! Remember this, because of when he lived Jonah changed because he got hammered. Swallowed and then barfed up on a beach. He lived always wondering who God is, wondering about God’s love and mercy. He lived without the cross.

We don’t live under the veil – in the time or conditions of the Old Testament. We have been born into the time of the Spirit, the Last Days when change comes by the Spirit to all who receive the grace that is theirs in Christ.

This is why the more often we eat and drink the more aware, the more grateful, the more willing to let the spirit change our hearts.

Has the idol died; is there a worthless idol stopping grace from being received?

Receive now and always the grace of your saviour.

Man Overboard?

Man Over Board

Jonah is a story most people know quite well. So what’s it about? Fact or fiction, the text tells us about a prophet commissioned to speak to the great city of Nineveh. On the way we hear tell of some sailors and a great big fish. Not everyone agrees about the details, but Jonah is a true story, a miraculous story as we shall see.

The first person we meet is Jonah a prophet. His job, so to speak, is to speak. To speak about God. Who God is and how living according to God's way brings life. And he's given the task of preaching, which in this case anyway he rejects. Did he have good reason? Maybe. The Assyrians were known from cruelty using mutilation and crucifixion to put fear in others. They were dreaded enemies of the Hebrew people. They were so bad they didn't deserve to have a prophet come to preach! After all they may repent. Or so Jonah thought.

That's one view. Another is that this was his first preaching opportunity. And he had no desire to be a prophet in the first place. That happens often, by the way. Some think God calling is like the Priemer calling up to give a nice ambassadorship or something. Not usually the case with God. When God calls, maturity is called for. Regardless of all that, Jonah runs.  Ever done that, run from God? Trouble is he, no one gets far. God is everywhere all at the same time, but that doesn’t stop Jonah from trying.

He finds a ship and leaves town. Maybe he thinks, God lives only in Israel, okay then I'll go as far away as possible - Spain! It's like thinking if only I could get a ride on one of those new consumer flights to the moon. I can out run my problems there. Ridiculous, right? Whatever Jonah's issues are, whatever our issues are we always take them with us. Always. No place, no church and in many ways no spouse or family is any better than the next. For the most part people are happy or unhappy based on what they bring into a situation. Another prophet once said bloom where you are planted. That is, make the best of it where you are and see what God can do in and through you.

Jonah didn't get that. He's asleep to the reality of grace. He doesn't even speak until pressed. He doesn’t really act at all. Ever wonder why he doesn't just speak his piece and jump overboard? He's stuck.

People get stuck all the time. What to do, what to say, what to think? Jonah is so stuck he doesn't even know how to ask for help. Isolated by his own choices, Jonah is stuck.

Ever been there? Sometimes I get stuck and feeling sorry for myself. I withdraw and take everything personally. Maybe you know the song. Nobody loves me everybody hates me, I'm going to go eat worms. Because after all that's what I am.

On a good day, Norma sees this starting and tells me to smarten up. Usually in clear and precise terms. Biblically we call that speaking the truth in love. That's a great blessing of community. Of course to receive any blessing we have to be willing to be involved in community.

Having said all that however, Jonah’s disobedience or fear is not the main point of the story.

So, is it about the sailors? They are religious, and by story’s end, they are God respecting if not God fearing. Interesting, isn’t it, the captain has to tell one who worships the Lord, the God of heaven to pray. It is a sad commentary when those who are committed to the truth of God’s word have to be prodded by a lost world into spiritual activity. Interesting also that these so called worldly men recognize there are spiritual forces that need to be respected. To run away from a god was foolish; but to run from “the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land” was suicidal.

Atheism is dying out, by the way. The old view of many gods is returning. Today, many people will appeal to the same thing the sailors did. They believe in karma, read horoscopes and have a Buddha statue lying around someplace along with a bible. Religious good luck charms. People are spiritual these days, but how many want an encounter with the Living God? So for many the choice is to try running from God or  acknowledging many Gods – sort of to cover their bases – or to keep God away by not stepping out of line too far.

As people say, sure we're all a little naughty and we all sin a bit, just don’t do anything big so God will notice. That’s what motivates the sailors to ask: what is it you have done?! The sailors recognize that God is in control of the storm. They want to know what Jonah did to make god so mad. They were frightened to the depths of their beings.

Of course they have it wrong. God isn't mad; nowhere does it say God is angry; God is simply getting Jonah's attention. And theirs: interesting again, they pray and are heard, spared for the part they play in the divine drama.

But the story really isn't about the sailors or their captain either.

The point as best I can discern is summed up in two simple words God provided.

God provided for Jonah.

First in giving him a calling, Maybe Jonah didn’t recognize it for what it was, tried to avoid it; he ran from it. But that didn’t make Jonah right, wise or content. There is a strong message here that God knows what’s best and living into a calling is what’s best. Running from it will bring a storm of some sort.

Today we celebrated in the choosing and ordination of new elders and deacons. I expect that none of these men believe they have it all figured out and that’s good. When God calls we seldom if ever do. It’s living into the calling that people mature and develop their gifts. Avoiding it or refusing to consider God’s invitation that’s when the storm comes. The storm of our own making. Running from God’s call to volunteer, befriend a neighbour, to enter a certain field or profession – whatever it is that God puts in the way – that’s when life gets messy. That’s when the wind picks up and things threaten to break up. Why? Because that’s when the person is running against the wind and not with it.

In the end Jonah is resigned to his calling – can’t escape God after all. And in just going along with it he loses joy. What has God called you to be, to do? Embrace it run with it, find joy. You will because it is there.

Second, God provided discipline when Jonah needed it. The sailors were never in danger, neither was Jonah. The storm was always in God's control. He was on the boat with them just like Jesus was with his disciples when another storm picked up. You can get all the details from Matthew 8. The comparison is amazing. Jonah sleeps, Jesus sleeps; the sailors and disciples are terrified; Jonah wakes up – busted! You can’t outrun God. Jesus wakes up – busted; I am with you always. End result: God is with you and stills the storm. Lesson learned.

No doubt Jonah’s experience is unpleasant and humbling, but God’s purposes are for his good. When the storm rages; do not despair God will not only take notice, God is in it, present, guiding, disciplining, loving. When the storm is raging do what the sailors did: pray!

And third, God provided a way back. Jonah did not mess things up so badly that the road back was gone forever. No bridges were burned. No sin unforgivable after all except the one to resist God from the beginning to end. That’s not going on here. Jonah worshipped God; Jonah sinned; God redeems sinners and gives them another chance. And another and another. Jonah's story isn't over yet and neither is ours.

Maybe try that on with your own name inserted. William worships God; William sins; in grace God redeems William.

Let me say it once and clearly. There is no way to get God to love you more than he already does. There is no way to make God love you less.

Sure consequences for sin happen and they should. Sure repentance and confession are daily practices to keep the grace flowing. Sure forgiveness and being forgiving are daily reminders of the reality that people fail each other; fail to live up to the Glory of God. But God’s forgiveness and willingness to lift people up again and again is not conditional from God's end. Sometimes people make it conditional based on judging themselves or others in ways God doesn’t.

God’s desire for the average disciple of Jesus is to grow in the grace and knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. By whatever means possible. And whatever means usually involves being with difficult people some who believe and some who do not. Of course those are just the type most try to avoid. Volunteering at the Champion Centre, Rising Son Clubhouse or visiting Tom Cnossen in Hobema may be just the place God is call his people to.

God provided. God provides.

What do you need? A fresh start? A reminder of grace? Grace to be forgiving? Maybe, what God’s people need to remember the world beyond these walls. God lives there too, let’s listen for how God would have us run with joy into the adventure of faith with him.

Ask, says Jesus and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Stop running, get unstuck, embrace the one who provides and see what he can do.