Jonah 1:9 “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.’”

What does Jonah mean by this statement of faith? He is answering a set of questions but we only get the answer to one. He is a Hebrew. That tells the sailors a lot because if they trade on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean they know who the Hebrews are. The Hebrews are great traders and they are single minded about their God. That is Jonah’s emphasis because that is what is on his mind. He knows the God who created all things and because he is disobedient to that God he fears Him.

There are not a lot of examples of faith that describe belief in God as creator and at the same time declare disobedience to that God. Can you really believe in God as creator of universe and tell Him no at the same time? That is what Jonah is doing. He told the sailors he was running away from God and their question is ‘What have you done?’ We know the answer, don’t we? It’s not what he did but what he didn’t do that’s caused a storm. The Creator controls the wind and sea. He should have thought of that.

Task for Today: Do you believe in the creator God? What does your statement of faith look like? Are you professing belief in the Creator and running from Him at the same time? It didn’t work for Jonah and it won’t work for you. Today, turn towards God. Express your faith by obedience to His word. In the end all men will do what Jonah had to do. You and I will confess that He is God. Better to obey now than when obedience is too late.