A HEART LIKE DAVID’S

CALL TO PRAYER

Date: 01.04.2021

Title: A HEART LIKE DAVID’S!

By: Idehen Daniel

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

(Jon 4:1-3 KJV)

Jonah, a beloved Prophet of God, is one controversial personality in the scriptures. Though he was known as one who disobeyed God and was judge, yet he received mercy from God, he was also one honoured by God by Jesus exemplifying His death and resurrection to what he experienced in the belly of the fish (Matthew 12:40).  

For a short background story on the scriptural verses of today. After being sent to Nineveh to deliver a prophetic word of a coming judgment, Jonah decided to run to Tarshish to flee the presence of God. Along the way, he was met by a storm, thrown by the ship crew member into the sea, where he was swallowed by a fish. In that state, he prayed to God, and God heard him and caused the fish to vomit him in the land (Nineveh) he was initially sent to prophesy. He did prophesy, however, his prophecy did not come to pass, as God forgave the people of the land as a result of their repentance (Jonah 3: 6-10). Now a question, why did Jonah disobey God at first?  A careful look into the scriptural verse of today will reveal it. Jonah said, “Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil”. In essence, Jonah knew that God may forgive the people and restrain His judgment. Because he did not want to be seen as a false Prophet, he chose to disobey God. That means Jonah cared more about his reputation than doing the will of God.

The case of Jonah is the case of many Christians today; they think more about what people will say about them than obeying the voice of God (doing His will). They stop exercising their gift for fear of failure, losing out on the greatness that God has for them. Despite our Sonship, we’ve been called to be servants of God. To fulfil this role, the idea of trying to gain the good opinion of people should not be in our hearts (Gal. 1:10). How does this occur? For example, God may tell one that he/she has the gifts of healing. By faith, this person may step out to heal the sick. However, after few failures in trying, this person may withdraw and stop exercising this gift because he doesn’t want people to see him in a negative light. But those who have the breakthrough in any gift or service are those who continue despite several failed attempt. Considering your reputation over obedience is proof you are not dead to yourself. Only dead men/women can be used by God. Again, it’s a sign of pride and fear when you do not use your gift because of what people may say if you fail in the process. And such attracts judgment from God.

What’s the solution to this? The first key is fellowship with the Spirit. By the Spirit, we put to death the flesh (Romans 8:13). How does this work? As we fellowship with the Spirit, He will lead us through the wilderness. It’s in the wilderness that the flesh dies as a result of the trials. When you are out of the wilderness, you will develop a heart like that of David, who danced naked before God despite his servants watching and didn’t feel ashamed (2Samuel 6:16, 20-23). This heart will save you from becoming like Saul, who because of His servants (military personnel) decided to disobey the instructions of God (1 Samuel 15: 13- 31). The second key is knowing that there is a consequence, which is death (Romans 6:23). And that death may reflect in the gift not manifesting anymore. For fear and pride stops the gifts of the Spirit from manifesting.

Prayer Point:

Let’s take time out today and ask God to give the entire body of Christ a heart like that of David. He should help us to value obedience over the opinion of men.

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