Prepared Belly

Prepared Belly by Kirk Hunt

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

The fish, large enough to swallow a man (or woman) whole, met Jonah at the appointed time and place. The belly, prepared by God, gave an intimate residence to God’s prophet. For 72 hours, Jonah had the time and opportunity to consider who is in charge of whom.

Moses stood before a burning bush. Elijah heard a still, small voice. An angel appeared to Gideon. To men and women who are not resisting Him, God speaks and they give their attention readily. For those who resist Him, God creates circumstance that command your attention.

Keep in mind that resisting God is not the same thing as rejecting God. Jonah, as a prophet had accepted his calling from God. Still the prophet decided to be disobedient and resistant to God’s will. Jonah decided he did not want to be obedient regarding Nineveh, but did not reject God altogether. Jonah wanted his own way and to retain his place and privilege with God.

In the belly of the fish, God gave Jonah the time and space to consider his decisions and choices. God prepared a place and (cramped) space for Jonah to remember who is in charge of creation. Under God’s gracious discipline, Jonah remembered that mere men ought to obey God the first time He speaks.

God’s discipline helps us remember who is supposed to obey whom. The prepared belly of a circumstance is from God’s love and grace. Take the opportunity to end your resistance to hear and obey Him.

Think: Does God have my attention? How might God command my attention?

Pray: “Lord, I want to listen and attend to You, when You speak to me.”

 

Copyright © February 2020, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Walk The Old Paths

Walk The Old Paths” By Kirk Hunt

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;

Jeremiah 6:16a NKJV

 

There is a good chance you did burpees as a youngster. If you are like me, you hated them back then. If you are like me, you hate them still. Regardless, here I am, at my age, doing burpees. The old paths are very often the best route to a prized destination.

 

Hate them if you must, but burpees improve strength, flexibility, endurance and aerobic conditioning. In pursuit of physical fitness, burpees are ridiculously inexpensive but intensely demanding. Still, even professional athletes shy away from the exercise. Even the best of us do not always want to do what is hard. Regardless of the benefits.

 

Every worthwhile achievement demands something from its seekers. A relationship with Father-God is no different. Real spiritual growth demands real spiritual disciplines.

 

Regular prayer. Consistent Bible study. Systematic fasting. They are the price of spiritual strength and intimacy with God. They are the old path, and the only path, to a proper relationship with your heavenly Father.

 

Start today. Commit to being consistent and diligent. It may not seem like much to you, but stay the course. Sooner than you think, you will realize that you are on the shortest, best path to a relationship with God. And He is the most prized destination.

 

Think: The only good route to God is through the old paths of spiritual disciplines.

 

Pray: “Lord, I will follow the old paths to You.”

 

 

Copyright © January 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.