This season has affected everyone.
Depression. Anxiety. Loneliness.
For some, this season has only exacerbated an underlying condition.
How many people are crying out on the inside:
“No one cares for my soul!”
Helpless.
Alone and afraid.
That’s how some sailors felt on the Mediterranean so many years ago.
They had faced many storms, but this one was fierce.
They feared for their lives.
They cried to their gods, but no help came.
So when they found a man named Jonah asleep in the hold of the ship, they told him to get up and call on his god.
“Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”
Jonah 1:6
Is anyone concerned about you?
People look for love, care, and help from their family, from a spouse, from a good friend.
But sometimes, those people just can’t help you.
Sometimes, they go away.
But God.
The God of the universe is concerned for your soul.
Let that sink in.
There is no one more powerful and able to come to your aid.
None more loving and kind.
You have the best in God.
See how He introduces Himself:
Compassionate and gracious
Slow to anger and
abounding in lovingkindness and truth.
Exodus 34:6
The sailors didn’t know God. But Jonah did.
In fact, that’s why he was running away.
God told him to warn the Ninevites of the impending destruction for their evil works.
A cruel, violent people, they had oppressed Israel for years.
Jonah didn’t want to warn them of God’s judgment, because he knew God was compassionate and gracious.
He would relent from destroying them if the Ninevites turned from their ways.
And that’s just what happened.
God showed His great compassion.
He was concerned for the souls of the sailors.
He cared for the evil Ninevites.
He loved people that didn’t know or care that He existed.
God also was concerned for Jonah.
He loved His child who was still rebellious – even though he had tasted of the Lord’s goodness.
In whatever darkness you might be walking through…
are you calling upon the Compassionate God?
Do you urge others to call upon Him?
He cares for every soul.
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