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“Make Sure You Don't Miss the Point”

Thoughts for Today:

On the plane ride back from my most recent mission trip, the Lord placed a young man in the seat next to me. I really didn't feel like talking, so I tried to ignore him by burying my nose in the book I had been reading. That's okay, right? After all, I had just spent the last nine days laboring for the Lord. Certainly I deserved a break. The only problem was the Lord wouldn't leave me alone with my book -- He kept urging me, "Say something to the guy, he needs to talk." But I refused. An hour or so into the flight, everyone was talking about a picturesque volcano sitting in the middle of a lake which was in view on my side of the aircraft. I decided to sneak a peek. Unfortunately, by doing so I awakened my companion who had been peacefully sleeping. That small act began a conversation that lasted for the next three hours. At first I felt a little like Jonah -- unwillingly carried along by the Lord's purpose. I knew the Lord wasn't going to let this one go (the opportunity to speak through me to the young man), so I let go of my own selfishness to begin the process of joyfully submitting my will to His.

In our passage today, Paul is speaking specifically of the Israelites: "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us..." But, isn't that the message of Scripture in general? When we read the Bible, we must realize God has provided pointed, graphic, and sometimes shocking illustrations to teach us important lessons. Paul tells us, "Make sure you don't miss them."

I'm sure you've heard it said, "Experience is the best teacher." While this may be true, it doesn't necessarily need to be our reality. We don't need to bang our heads and bruise our bodies to learn only through life experience. We can be taught by others; we can benefit from their wisdom and example. I learned from the story of Jonah to submit to the Lord's will. Surely, the young man who sat next to me on the plane had a divine appointment with the Almighty God. He was being called into a relationship with Jesus. He just didn't know it until we started talking. I was simply the Lord's messenger and mouthpiece. Just like Jonah was to the Ninevites.

Questions to Ponder:

I don't know if what I said had a lasting impact on the young man's life. That's for God to determine. The lesson for me is one of obedience to His will, no matter how I might feel at the time. What picture has Scripture provided for you to follow? What is its warning? What is the benefit? Will you follow through in obedience to His Word?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.