“‘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 to it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” - Jonah 1:2-3

I want to tell you something, my friend. If God calls you to do something, you would best be served to do it. It does not matter if you are qualified (He will qualify you). It does not matter if you think you aren’t ready (you are). It does not matter if you think you will fail (you won’t). God’s plan will never take you where His presence cannot sustain you.

Jonah had to learn this the hard way. God called Jonah to go preach in the city of Nineveh. Instead, not wanting to go, Jonah runs from God and takes a boat to Tarshish. Now, if you aren’t familiar with the geography of these two locations, Nineveh was EAST. Well, Tarshish was directly the opposite way: WEST.

Joppa, where Jonah ported out of was 550 miles from Nineveh, and then Tarshish was another 2,500 miles from Joppa. I think it is safe to say, Jonah wanted no part of going to preach in Nineveh. He ran the exact opposite way of where He was supposed to go.

Only now, he was in trouble because he disobeyed God. Instead of being blessed for going to Nineveh obediently, Jonah was caught in a storm, thrown overboard, and swallowed by a whale. Not the best set of circumstances if you ask me. This all happened because Jonah chose to flee the presence of God.

We have talked at length over the last few days about being obedient when God calls you to do something. Not only will God supply all your needs, but He will protect you every step of the way. Everything you will need to accomplish all that He has asked, He will provide you with. But that only applies if you are obedient to Him. Jonah was not obedient and paid the price.

What are your Nineveh and Tarshish? Are you running from God? Do so at your own risk. Fleeing the presence of God is never the answer. Run back to Him today!