S – “And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land”

Jonah 1:9 CSB

O – In the midst of the storm, Jonah identifies himself by his nationality and that he is afraid of God (Jehovah – the name of the God of Israel). He reaffirms this by saying God again (’ĕlôhı̂ym:  the supreme God).  Then he states that God is the creator of the sea and dry land.  The two entities the sailors are contending with at the moment.  These sailors feared God, made sacrifices to Him and made vows at the end of the chapter.

A – Hearing Jonah’s description of who he is is surprising yet we do this as well.  He says that he is devoted to God in his identity of who he is and who God is.  Yet, he is running.  He is knowingly disobedient to God’s plan and purpose.  Yet, he is at peace with the storm he knows he created.  Only when he surrenders to the chaos God is allowing to happen, is peace restored…which leads to the sailors experiencing God.  We can’t run from God.  As scary as his calling is, we need to obey.

R – Lord, your calling is real and it can be scary.  Yet, you promise to go with us through the Holy Spirit.  Give us the courage to obey today.  Give us the ability to take the next step that you have for us.  We trust that as we do that, we will have a peace that calms the storms and that others will be drawn to you.