Warning Signs of a Wandering Heart by Pastor Steve Lombardo (Jonah 1:1-3)

Devotional

Day 1: God Speaks Through His Word—Will You Listen?

God’s primary way of speaking to His people today is through His Word, the Bible, and supremely through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are living and active, able to pierce our hearts and reveal the truth about our lives. Yet, like Jonah, we can be tempted to disregard God’s Word—either because we doubt its authority or because we don’t like what it says. When we avoid the Bible, we miss out on God’s guidance, comfort, and correction. Instead, we are called to open our hearts to the voice of God, allowing His Word to shape us, challenge us, and lead us into His will. [11:02]

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally make space to listen to God’s Word this week, even if it means setting aside something else you usually do?

Day 2: The Danger of Ignoring Sin

When we refuse to deal with sin in our lives, it stands in the way of God’s mission for us and leads us further from His presence. Jonah’s hatred for the Ninevites was a sin that kept him from fulfilling God’s call, and our own hidden or unconfessed sins can have the same effect. God sees all, and while we may hide our struggles from others, nothing is hidden from Him. The blessing comes not from covering up our sin, but from confessing and forsaking it, receiving God’s mercy and forgiveness through Jesus. [23:13]

Psalm 32:1 (ESV)
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Reflection: Is there a sin or attitude you’ve been trying to hide or ignore? What would it look like to bring it honestly before God today and ask for His mercy?

Day 3: Embracing God’s Call Instead of Running Away

God has a unique and purposeful call for every believer, not just for prophets or pastors. Like Jonah, we can be tempted to run from God’s call—sometimes actively, but more often passively, by filling our lives with distractions or focusing only on our own plans. Yet God’s plans for us are good, filled with hope and meaning beyond the ordinary routines of life. He invites us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him into the greater story He is writing. [26:14]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith or obedience, but you’ve been hesitant or distracted? How can you take a first step today?

Day 4: The Power of Confession and Receiving God’s Mercy

Trying to cover up our own sin leads only to spiritual stagnation and distance from God, but confession brings freedom and restoration. God’s mercy is greater than our failures, and when we confess and forsake our sins, He removes them as far as the east is from the west. The path to being used by God is not perfection, but humility and honesty before Him. Confession is not just a one-time event, but a continual practice of keeping short accounts with God, so nothing stands between us and His purposes. [23:46]

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Reflection: When was the last time you truly confessed your sins to God? Is there someone you trust who can pray with you as you seek God’s mercy and freedom?

Day 5: Cutting Through Distraction to Hear God’s Voice

In our modern world, it’s easy to become so distracted and busy that we lose sight of God’s Word, His will, and His call on our lives. The noise of constant information and technology can drown out the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we are not actively running from God, but we are so passively distracted that we miss His voice altogether. God invites us to be intentional about creating space for Him, disconnecting from distractions, and reconnecting with His presence so we can hear and respond to His leading. [29:43]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can “disconnect” from distractions today in order to be still and attentive to God’s presence and voice?

Sermon Summary

The story of Jonah is more than a tale of a prophet and a great fish; it is a mirror that reflects the state of our own hearts. Jonah’s journey is both literal and spiritual—a descent away from God’s presence and purpose. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city infamous for its wickedness, and deliver a message of repentance. Instead, Jonah fled in the opposite direction, revealing a heart hardened by anger, prejudice, and disobedience. This narrative invites us to examine the warning lights in our own lives that signal a drifting or hardening toward God.

God’s word is the primary way He speaks to us today, and our response to it reveals much about our spiritual health. Jonah disregarded God’s word, and many of us do the same—sometimes because we doubt its authority, other times because we simply don’t like what it says. Like avoiding a scale when we know we’ve strayed from our diet, we avoid Scripture when we fear conviction. Yet, God’s word is living and active, able to pierce our hearts and bring transformation, as it did for Martin Luther and countless others.

Another indicator of spiritual decline is our unwillingness to deal with sin. Jonah’s hatred for the Ninevites, though understandable given their cruelty, became a barrier to God’s mission. We, too, can allow sin—especially those we justify or hide—to stand between us and God’s calling. The only way forward is confession and repentance, trusting in the mercy and righteousness of Christ, who covers our sin and restores us to purpose.

Finally, dismissing God’s call—whether actively, like Jonah, or passively, through distraction and busyness—leads us away from the life God intends. In a world saturated with noise and information, it is easy to become numb to God’s voice. Yet, God’s plans for us are good, purposeful, and eternal. He calls each of us, not just pastors or missionaries, to participate in His redemptive work.

The challenge is clear: do not disregard God’s word, do not let sin fester, and do not dismiss His call. Instead, turn to Him, confess, and embrace the mission He has for your life.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Word is a Living Mirror God’s word is not just ancient text; it is living and active, able to reveal the true condition of our hearts. When we avoid engaging with Scripture, it often signals a deeper reluctance to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves. The transformative power of God’s word is available to all who approach it with humility and openness, allowing it to convict, correct, and guide us into deeper faith. [11:02]
2. The Danger of Selective Obedience Jonah’s story warns against the temptation to pick and choose which parts of God’s word we will obey. Selective obedience is often rooted in pride or fear, and it ultimately leads us away from God’s presence. True spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to submit to God’s will, even when it challenges our preferences or exposes our weaknesses. [16:00]
3. Unaddressed Sin Blocks God’s Mission Sin that is left unconfessed or justified—especially those attitudes we feel are “reasonable,” like Jonah’s hatred—can become a barrier to God’s calling in our lives. God desires to use us as instruments of His grace, but unaddressed sin will always hinder our effectiveness and joy. The path to restoration is honest confession, repentance, and receiving the mercy that Christ freely offers. [20:17]
4. God’s Call is for Every Believer God’s call is not reserved for a select few; every follower of Christ is invited into His redemptive mission. Whether we are actively running or simply distracted by the noise of life, we are in danger of missing the unique purpose God has for us. Embracing God’s call requires intentional surrender, a willingness to deny ourselves, and a readiness to step into the good works He has prepared. [26:48]
5. The Subtlety of Passive Drift Not all rebellion is loud or dramatic; often, it is the slow drift of distraction and busyness that dulls our spiritual senses. The enemy’s strategy is to keep us so preoccupied that we lose sight of God’s word, His will, and His voice. Regularly disconnecting from the noise and intentionally seeking God’s presence is essential for spiritual clarity and renewed purpose. [29:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:15] - Jonah: A Mirror for Our Hearts
[02:51] - Historical and Parabolic Views of Jonah
[04:07] - The Bizarre Reversals in Jonah
[04:38] - Jesus as the Greater Jonah
[05:41] - Jonah’s Descent into Darkness
[06:48] - Early Warning Signs of Spiritual Drift
[08:37] - Disregarding God’s Word
[11:35] - The Power of Scripture to Pierce the Heart
[13:53] - Righteousness by Faith, Not Works
[15:06] - Why We Resist God’s Word
[16:25] - Avoiding the Truth About Ourselves
[17:11] - The Wickedness of Nineveh
[19:39] - Jonah’s Sin: Hatred and Its Consequences
[22:02] - The Universal Need for Repentance
[24:18] - Dismissing God’s Call
[26:48] - God’s Purpose for Every Believer
[28:05] - The Dangers of Distraction
[29:43] - The Subtle Drift from God’s Voice
[30:23] - Final Challenge and Prayer

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.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) — > For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 32:1 (ESV) — > Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Observation Questions

What did God specifically command Jonah to do, and how did Jonah respond? (Jonah 1:1-3)
According to Hebrews 4:12, what is unique about the word of God and how does it affect us?
In the sermon, what were some of the “warning lights” or early indicators that someone is drifting away from God? [06:48]
What does Psalm 32:1 say about the person whose sin is forgiven?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jonah chose to run away from God’s command instead of obeying, even though he was a prophet? [07:27]
The sermon mentioned that God’s word is like a mirror that shows us the true state of our hearts. What does it mean for Scripture to “pierce” us, and why might we avoid it? [11:02]
How can unaddressed sin, even if it feels justified (like Jonah’s hatred for the Ninevites), block us from God’s mission for our lives? [20:17]
The sermon talked about “passive drift” away from God. What are some ways this can happen in our lives, and why is it dangerous? [29:43]

Application Questions

The sermon compared avoiding Scripture to avoiding a scale when we know we’ve strayed from our diet. Are there parts of God’s word you tend to avoid? What are you afraid it might reveal or challenge in you? [16:00]
Jonah’s story warns against selective obedience. Is there an area in your life where you are picking and choosing which parts of God’s word to follow? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? [16:00]
The sermon described how Jonah’s hatred for the Ninevites felt justified but was still sin. Is there someone or a group of people you struggle to love or forgive? How might this be blocking you from God’s purpose? [20:17]
The message challenged us not to let unconfessed sin fester. Is there a sin or attitude you’ve been justifying or hiding? What would it look like to bring it into the light and confess it to God? [23:46]
The sermon said God’s call is for every believer, not just pastors or missionaries. What is one way you sense God calling you to participate in His mission right now? What’s holding you back? [26:48]
The idea of “passive drift” was described as being so busy or distracted that we become numb to God’s voice. What are the biggest distractions in your life right now? What practical step could you take this week to disconnect and intentionally seek God’s presence? [29:43]
The pastor shared about the importance of keeping “short accounts” with God. What is one habit you could start (or restart) to regularly confess and turn from sin, so you can stay close to God and His purpose? [23:13]

Sermon Clips

The book of Jonah is really a mirror for us to examine our own lives. Yes, we're going to see Jonah. Yes, we're going to see the great fish. Yes, we're going to see the city of Nineveh. But we're also going to see, in Jonah, sometimes our hearts are being reflected as Jonah's heart is. And today I've been praying that that's the case for you and for I, that we would be aware of what God is doing through the story of Jonah, even as we recount it together over these several weeks. [00:02:20] (29 seconds) #JonahAsAMirror

The place that Jonah comes to is a place of anger and despondency with God and with God's plan. So much so that he's ready to be done with life, just put me out of my misery. I'm sick of this life. Now, how did Jonah come to this place? Because this is a deeply dark place. None of us want to go there. And today's message is going to show us some early indicators that we are not in a good place with the Lord. [00:05:55] (27 seconds) #DarknessToDespair

This is there to show Jonah's descent into darkness, both literally and figuratively. Literally, he goes down to Joppa. He literally goes down to Joppa. Then he literally gets in the ship and he goes down into the ship. And so it's a literal thing, but it's a spiritual thing as well. It's figurative speech showing that he's going away from the will of God, the plan of God, or the call of God, and he's going away from the call of God, and he's leaving the presence of the Lord to do his own thing, which is to runaway. He hardens his heart and he runs from God. [00:07:43] (34 seconds) #DescentIntoDarkness

God speaks to us today through Jesus Christ. And we have the word of God and the central character of this book is Jesus Christ. And this is how God speaks to us. Through the law and the prophets, that's the Old Testament, and then through the gospels and the writings of the apostles about Jesus Christ. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 20 says that our church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Jesus Christ being the cornerstone. God speaks to us today through his word. [00:10:33] (35 seconds) #GodSpeaksToday

It's not that your righteousness counts toward God's approval. It's that the righteous live by faith. Righteousness of God comes by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By God's grace through faith, you are saved, and this righteousness is applied to you. And that's what it means that the righteous live by faith. It's not that the righteous do everything correct. It's that they have faith in Jesus, the Son of God, who lived a perfect life. And died a sinner's death on our behalf. And so we get to have the righteousness of God in Christ. [00:14:15] (36 seconds) #RighteousByFaith

Jonah had a hatred in his heart toward these people, which was sin. While it might have felt justified, Jonah forgot his calling as a prophet of God to be a light to the nations. That was the mission of Israel, was to be a light to the nations, even to the nations that were horrible nations. They need God. And so Jonah forgot, and in his sin, he had this hatred toward the Assyrians. And his hatred stood in the way of fulfilling the call of God in this nation. [00:20:05] (31 seconds) #HatredBlocksCalling

You can try all you want to cover your sin. I'll bury it down deep, but you're not going to prosper. You're not going to be able to be used by God in the way that he's created you to be used by him. So confess your sin. Forsake your sin. God will remove your sin as far as the east is from the west. That's how great and good his mercy and grace is toward us. So confess, forsake, and receive the mercy of the Lord. [00:23:51] (27 seconds) #ConfessAndForsake

God has a plan for you. Jeremiah 29,11, its original intent was for Israel, but I think it applies, to us. I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give you a future and a hope. Ephesians 2, 10 says, we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. God has a good plan of a good future and a good plan of hope for you, a plan to do the things that he's called and created you to do. [00:25:50] (33 seconds) #GodsGoodPlan

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