Running from God: Jonah’s Call to Obedience and Mercy

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Commands Are Clear, Even When Difficult

God’s call to Jonah was unmistakable: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it.” God’s commands in our lives may not always come as an audible voice, but He still speaks clearly through His Word, His Spirit, godly counsel, and even creation. The challenge is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are willing to listen and obey, even when the task seems daunting or uncomfortable. God’s instructions often push us beyond our comfort zones, inviting us to trust Him more deeply and to step into His purposes, even when we don’t fully understand them. [07:40]

Jonah 1:1-2 (ESV)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”

Reflection: What is one clear command from God’s Word that you have been avoiding or rationalizing away? What would it look like to take a first step of obedience today?

Day 2: Running from God Reveals Our Inner Conflict

Jonah’s flight from God wasn’t due to confusion, but to a deep internal struggle between what he knew was right and what he actually wanted. When God calls us to obey, it often exposes our fears, pride, and doubts—those hidden places in our hearts that resist surrender. Like Jonah, we may delay, distract ourselves, or outright disobey, convincing ourselves that God’s will isn’t clear or that our way is better. Yet, every act of running from God is a window into our true desires and the spiritual battles within us. [15:49]

Jonah 1:3 (ESV)
But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Reflection: When you sense God calling you to something difficult, what fears or desires rise up in you? How can you bring those honestly before God in prayer today?

Day 3: Sin and Disobedience Always Come at a Cost

Jonah’s attempt to escape God’s call was not without consequence—he paid a fare, and each step away from God was a step downward, both physically and spiritually. Disobedience may seem appealing in the moment, but it always leads to loss, brokenness, and distance from God’s best for us. Even when God forgives and redeems, the scars of our choices can linger. True freedom is never found in running from God, but in surrendering to Him, trusting that His ways are ultimately for our good. [24:24]

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you are experiencing the cost of disobedience? What step can you take today to turn back toward God’s presence and purpose?

Day 4: We Need Faithful Friends to Call Us Back

Jonah’s isolation made his running possible—he had no one to hold up a mirror to his choices or lovingly call him back. God often uses faithful friends to speak truth into our lives, to challenge our blind spots, and to encourage us toward obedience. These relationships are a gift, even when their words sting, because they help us see what we might otherwise miss. Do you have people in your life who can speak honestly to you about your walk with God, and are you willing to listen? [19:18]

Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Reflection: Who in your life has permission to speak hard truths to you? How can you invite someone to hold you accountable in an area where you tend to run from God?

Day 5: God’s Mercy Pursues Us Even When We Run

Even as Jonah ran, God did not abandon him, just as He did not abandon the wicked people of Nineveh. God’s mercy is greater than our rebellion; He pursues us with relentless love, offering forgiveness and new beginnings through Jesus. No matter how far we run or how many excuses we make, God’s grace is available, inviting us to return and experience true freedom in Him. The story of Jonah is ultimately about a God who never gives up on His people, no matter how far they stray. [29:31]

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV)
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel furthest from God right now? How can you open your heart to receive His pursuing mercy and take a step back toward Him today?

Sermon Summary

Running is a familiar concept in our culture—some run for sport, some for escape, and some, like Jonah, run from God’s calling. The story of Jonah begins with a clear, intentional command from God: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” Nineveh was not just any city; it was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its greatness and its wickedness. God’s command to Jonah was urgent and direct, yet Jonah chose to run in the opposite direction, away from both Nineveh and the presence of the Lord.

This narrative invites us to examine our own hearts. Like Jonah, we often receive clear direction from God—through His Word, His Spirit, godly counsel, and even creation. Yet, we find ways to delay, distract, or outright disobey. Sometimes we convince ourselves that God’s commands are unclear, or we wait for a more convenient moment, or we fill our lives with noise to drown out His voice. At the root of our disobedience is often selfishness—a love for comfort, control, or our own plans over God’s.

Jonah’s internal conflict is not unique. Obedience to God’s call exposes what is truly in our hearts: our fears, our pride, and our doubts about whether God really knows what’s best. When we run from God, we pay a price. Disobedience is never free; it costs us spiritually, relationally, and sometimes even physically. Jonah’s descent—down to Joppa, down into the ship—mirrors his spiritual decline as he distances himself from God’s purpose.

Yet, even in our rebellion, God’s mercy remains. The story of Jonah is not just about a prophet who runs, but about a God who pursues. God’s grace is greater than our failures, and His pursuit of us is relentless. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of this mercy: though we were fugitives running from God, Jesus stepped into our place, offering redemption and forgiveness. No matter how far we run, God does not abandon us. He calls us back, inviting us to trust Him, obey Him, and experience true freedom in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s commands are often clear, but our hearts are conflicted. The story of Jonah shows that the real struggle is not in understanding God’s will, but in surrendering our own. Obedience reveals the true state of our hearts, surfacing fears, pride, and doubts that we might otherwise keep hidden. The call to obey is an invitation to deeper trust, not just outward action. [15:49]
2. Disobedience always comes at a cost, even if it feels freeing in the moment. Jonah’s journey “down” is both a physical and spiritual descent, illustrating how running from God leads us further from His presence and purpose. The consequences of sin are real and lasting, affecting not just ourselves but those around us. True freedom is found not in escape, but in surrender to God’s will. [24:24]
3. We often rationalize our rebellion by mistaking open doors for God’s approval. Jonah found a ship ready to sail, but convenience does not equal divine endorsement. The enemy is quick to provide distractions and alternatives that seem easier, but the easiest path is often the most dangerous. Discernment is needed to recognize when we are justifying disobedience rather than following God. [26:21]
4. Isolation makes running from God easier and more dangerous. Jonah’s separation from community allowed him to pursue his own way unchecked. We need faithful friends who will lovingly confront us, hold us accountable, and help us see where we are blind to our own disobedience. Godly relationships are a safeguard against the self-deception that often accompanies rebellion. [18:38]
5. God’s mercy is relentless, even when we run. The story of Jonah points beyond itself to the gospel: though we are fugitives, God pursues us with grace. Jesus took the consequences of our rebellion upon Himself, offering forgiveness and restoration. No matter how far we stray, God’s love remains, inviting us to return and trust Him anew. [28:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - America’s Obsession with Running
[01:14] - Running as Escape: The Great Escape and Frank Freshwaters
[02:57] - Jonah: The Fugitive Prophet
[03:55] - Is Jonah History or Parable?
[05:01] - Jonah’s Context: Israel and Assyria
[06:57] - God’s Intentional Command to Jonah
[08:11] - Nineveh: Greatness and Wickedness
[09:52] - The Urgency of God’s Call
[10:29] - How God Speaks to Us Today
[14:07] - Jonah’s Internal Conflict
[17:02] - Our Patterns of Delay, Distraction, and Disobedience
[18:38] - The Importance of Faithful Friends
[22:03] - The Cost of Disobedience
[24:24] - Jonah’s Descent: Physical and Spiritual
[27:39] - God’s Relentless Mercy and the Gospel Connection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV) — > Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV) — > Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Matthew 12:40-41 (ESV) — > For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Observation Questions

What specific command did God give to Jonah, and how did Jonah respond? (Jonah 1:1-3)
According to the sermon, what two words did God use to describe Nineveh, and what did those words mean about the city? [08:11]
What actions did Jonah take to distance himself from God’s call, and what repeated phrase in the passage highlights his movement? [24:24]
In Psalm 139, what does the psalmist say about trying to flee from God’s presence?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Jonah’s struggle wasn’t about understanding God’s will, but about surrendering his own. Why is surrender often harder than understanding? [15:49]
What are some reasons people might delay, distract, or disobey when they sense God’s direction in their lives? [17:02]
The sermon mentions that disobedience always comes at a cost, even if it feels freeing at first. What kinds of costs—spiritual, relational, or physical—might someone experience when running from God? [22:03]
How does the story of Jonah point forward to the gospel and the relentless mercy of God? [28:57]

Application Questions

Can you think of a time when you sensed God calling you to do something, but you delayed, distracted yourself, or outright disobeyed? What was going on in your heart at that time? [17:02]
The sermon talks about how we sometimes rationalize our rebellion by mistaking open doors for God’s approval. Have you ever taken an “easy path” and convinced yourself it was from God, even though you knew it wasn’t? What happened? [26:21]
Jonah isolated himself from community, which made it easier for him to run from God. Do you have people in your life who lovingly hold you accountable and help you see your blind spots? If not, what steps could you take to build those relationships? [18:38]
The cost of disobedience can be spiritual, relational, or even physical. Is there an area in your life where you’re experiencing the consequences of running from God? What would it look like to turn back? [22:03]
The sermon says that true freedom is found not in escape, but in surrender to God’s will. What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control to God this week? [24:24]
God’s mercy is relentless, even when we run. Is there something you feel ashamed of or afraid to bring to God? How does the story of Jonah and the message of the cross encourage you to return to Him? [28:57]
The call to obey is an invitation to deeper trust, not just outward action. What is one step of obedience you sense God inviting you to take right now? How can the group support you in this? [15:49]

Sermon Clips

Jonah was a fugitive. He was running from what God had in store for him. We see that God said go, and for whatever reason, Jonah said no. He ran the opposite direction. And today we get to unpack this. [00:02:57] (15 seconds) #RunningFromPurpose

I'd argue that God does speak clearly to us. And maybe it's not as direct. And I know some of us, I'm not going to argue with this, have heard God's voice directly speak to us. God doesn't do that as much anymore. It's not to say he can't. But we would mainly say God speaks to us through his word. [00:10:36] (19 seconds) #GodSpeaksToday

But I think a lot of the time is it's not as confusing as we pretend it is. It's a lot more clear on many things than it is confusing, if you ask me. But in our, in our own selfishness and in our own sin, we stir things up and we say, ah, does, is that really what it's saying? So God speaks through his word. [00:11:55] (22 seconds) #CallOfObedience

The truth is, that's what a call of obedience is for us. When God calls us to obey, that reveals what is truly in our heart. That reveals what our deepest heart's desire is. When God calls it, it surfaces everything we'd rather keep hidden. Our fears, our pride, and our doubts about if God really knows what's best. [00:15:44] (23 seconds) #InnerWar

Jonah's running tells us there's a war going on inside him, and a war that we are not fully given the picture of yet. But there's a war going on between what he knows is right, between what he knows God is calling him to do, and what he actually wants to do. And he wants to run. And he does. He does just that. [00:16:07] (23 seconds) #DelayNoMore

We live our lives in a mode that keeps us stagnant. Maybe we're like, okay, God is showing me this, but if I just cloud my brain and my life with noise, maybe all that noise will drown out what God is trying to do. Maybe we're like, okay, God is showing me this, but if I just cloud my brain and my life with noise, maybe all that noise will drown out what God is trying to call me to do. We can distract ourselves. [00:17:40] (20 seconds) #PowerOfRelationships

We need those faithful friends, ones who will call us out when we're drifting so that we can see that when we're clouded by fear or judgment or pain, that they can see through that, and they can speak into our lives. [00:19:40] (15 seconds) #SelfishnessBlocks

Because that's the root of what I've realized in my own life, is why do I disobey? Because I'm selfish. I love my comfort. I love my control. And we think that our plan is better than what God is calling for us. But as a Christian, we're called to something deeper. We're called to something bigger. [00:20:18] (22 seconds) #ObedienceIsHard

So yeah, obeying God is hard. Going to Nineveh is hard. But we're not doing it alone. We can lean on the Holy Spirit and we can rest on him and take steps that he allows us to. So if you know God is calling you to a step of obedience, take that step. Don't delay. Don't hesitate. Run towards that. [00:21:00] (29 seconds) #CostOfDisobedience

And every one of us in our life, we've been a fugitive. We've been running from what God has for us, and we're running from his will, his word, and his ways. But the beauty of the cross is he didn't leave us there. He didn't leave us in our rebellion. He didn't leave us with the consequences that we deserve for our sin. Jesus stepped into our place. He came here. He became the sacrifice that is demanded for sin. [00:29:01] (28 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What motivates people to run from God's calling?

How does disobedience impact spiritual and physical states?

In what ways does God's mercy pursue rebels?