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marbella3 70F
2480 posts
5/17/2021 5:20 am

Last Read:
5/18/2021 3:42 am

Pursued by Love

Bible in a Year:
1 Chronicles 1–3

John 5:25–47
I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.”

Jonah 2:9

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Jonah 2:1–9
“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days,” opens the famous poem “The Hound of Heaven” by English poet Francis Thompson. Thompson describes Jesus’ unceasing pursuit—despite his efforts to hide, or even run away, from God. The poet imagines God speaking to him and saying, “I am He whom thou seekest!”

The pursuing love of God is a central theme of the book of Jonah. The prophet received an assignment to tell the people of Nineveh (notorious enemies of Israel) about their need to turn to God, but instead “Jonah ran away from the Lord” (Jonah 1:3). He secured passage on a ship sailing in the opposite direction of Nineveh, but the vessel was soon overcome by a violent storm. To save the ship’s crew, Jonah was thrown overboard before being swallowed by a large fish (1:15–17).

In his own beautiful poem, Jonah recounted that despite his best efforts to run away from God, God pursued him. When Jonah was overcome by his situation and needed to be saved, he cried out to God in prayer and turned toward His love (2:2, 8. God answered and provided rescue not only for Jonah, but for his Assyrian enemies as well (3:10).

As described in both poems, there may be seasons of our lives when we try to run from God. Even then Jesus loves us and is at work guiding us back into restored relationship with Him (1 John 1:9).

Reflect & Pray
When have you tried to run from God? How did He provide rescue?

Jesus, thank You for lovingly pursuing me to offer rescue.


MrsJoe 76F
17309 posts
5/17/2021 6:10 am

I was a church camp, not because I wanted to learn about God, but just to get away from home for a few days. My best friend and I were in a cabin with girls who were kind of rebels, so we all got along well..... except one younger girl who was a preacher's daughter and kind of whiney.
One night, we decided to scare her, so we started telling spooky stories, but something strange happened to the whole atmosphere of the cabin. I'm not sure if it was the spirit of fear or conviction that permeated the air, but I had to get out of there so I ran, even though it was late at night. I learned later that everyone else did too.
I ran around the main buildings and to the very farthest outer edge of the camp, into the trees and sat in the darkest spot I could find. I know I could not be seen, but in the shadows between me and buildings, I saw one of the camp counselors (she was wearing a white shirt) walking straight toward me! There was no way she could have seen me, or known that I was there, but she wasn't searching, she was headed straight to me.
That was the night I received Jesus as my Savior.


Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.


marbella3 70F
64 posts
5/17/2021 9:28 am

MrsJoe
What a beautiful story I love very much.
God Bless.