Fish Bait

by - June 12, 2010

God lures me from the book of Jonah, and I'm taking the bait, chewing on fresh truth for a spell. I want the hook to lodge deep and remain firm. The flesh bleeds to be sure, but the spirit gets anchored to a lifeline in the hand of God. This is a good thing, so I bite down hard.


If you are one of those certain someones who hasn't gotten as far into Jonah as I have, you know what to do. Check back after we cover Week 3. Bye, now.

I've done it. I've thrown myself into the raging sea of His mercy. First, I went back to his throne, asking, "Did I hear that right?" God remained silent. He said what He meant and He meant what He said. My God is faithful 100%. See, God tries to keep it simple; we make it complex. Mike and I walked and talked and prayed, slept on it a while, and concluded there was nothing left to do but take a deep breath, and jump in.

I've packed up the homeschool books and my stay-at-home-mom status, dusted off my resumé, and am searching for God's appointed fish of a full-time job to swallow me. The storm is financial, and the clouds of doubt still hang overhead. I'm awash in the waves of fear of change, but I know what I heard and I heard what I know; my God is faithful 100%.

I haven't worked full time in fifteen years. It's a terrible time to be looking for work and I don't feel qualified or confident, but that's just the cold belly of the fish -- right where God wants me. I'm praying, like Jonah did in the dark, full of surrender and faith, knowing God will deliver. That's just who He is. It's what He does.

God appointed several things in this bible story: a fish, a vine, a worm, and a wind. God's appointments were for Jonah's benefit. And Nineveh's benefit, too. The fish and the vine were for Jonah's provision and protection. The worm and the wind were appointed to show Jonah (and Nineveh) God's compassion. All four appointments paved the way for Jonah and Nineveh to be delivered from God's wrath to his compassion. (And sometimes we wonder if God's in control.)

The Greek word for appoint is, oddly enough, manah, a close relative to the manna that fed Israel in the desert. This one means to appoint, ordain, destine, number, or muster. And God threads his manah-manna to the end of his line, and waits with reel in hand for his appointed lure to whet my appetite.

It just so happens that I have a hankering for provision, protection and compassion. So if you'll excuse me, I have an "appointment" to get to. It's a lunch engagement with strings attached.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! ~Psalm 34:8

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1 comments

  1. You got me again Mrs Dawn!!! The suspense is killing me (I guess it is worth the wait :D)...love you and see you on wed morning! Barbara

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