December 10
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GET UP AND GO!
A poem by ILMA
The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai
“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh
Tell them how I have seen how wicked its people are”
Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction instead,to avoid the LORD.
He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship leaving for Tarshish
He bought a ticket to escape from the LORD by sailing at the opposite direction
But the LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm
It threatened to break the ship apart and everyone in it feared for their lives.
The sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard
All this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold
“How can you sleep at a time like this?” the captain told him
“Get up and pray to your god and maybe spare our lives.”
Jonah told them he was Hebrew, and serves the God of heaven
The sailors were scared and asked him how they can be spared from death
“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again”
I know that this storm is all my fault, so release me so you’ll be spared.”
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MEMORY VERSE
“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” – Jonah 1:2
Read: Jonah 1-12
Get up and go is a usual command God gives those people He chose to participate in his plan for mankind. He said this to Abraham, to Moses and to other key characters in the bible. Notice that faith is an decision to get into action.
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REFLECTION
• Why does “inaction” debilitate us from God’s blessings and favor?
• Why is obedience and saying “yes” to God important in our walk as believers?
• How can we learn to literally act on what we believe regularly?