Msg #2001 All Things, and Divine Substitution

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

At the end of the day the mariners with Jonah knew two things for certain, there was a LORD God who created all things, and salvation from his wrath came from a sacrifice of one. Would that a few U.S. congressmen knew that much these days. When studying or preaching through the book of Jonah few focus on the converted mariners. This concocted teachable moment is nothing less than God fulfilling Romans 8:28 nine centuries before he had it written down. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purposes” (Romans 8:28). This is in Jonah's pre-great-fish experience, he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD and the great wind and tempest breaking up the boat was part of the “all things” that were working together for his good. The mariners with Jonah were tangled into God's workings and look at the good that came their way. They learned of the LORD God of heaven, which made the sea and the dry land (Jonah 1:9). They learned that he deals with those who would try and flee from his presence (1:10). They learned that sacrificing one would save them all (1:12). The result was, “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows” (1:16).

Two lessons for us here, first when we quote Romans 8:28, remember Jonah. Don't rationalize away the “all things” when they are meant for chastisement! When that is so, repent. Second, we serve such an almighty God, who has so many “all things” at his disposal, that folks around us learn through our trials, even our chastisement. Remember Jonah. Remember his mariners. Remember Romans 8:28 fits into 2020 like a glove.

An Essay for week #1 Jan 5, 2020

Free 12 Volumes of Theology www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology

Copyright © 2020 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain, Freely Copy and Distribute.
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church