Jonah 3:2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”
Prophet Jonah in his reluctance to execute God’s assignment fled in an opposite direction. He had his own agenda, to his surprise, he discovered the hard way that, it’s GOD who is in CONTROL of his life. In God’s abundant mercy, after a relentless pursuit God commissions Jonah for the second time. Here God says “Arise, go, tell, what I tell you”? In other words God, did not give him the full sermon with the comma and the full stop, but said, “I will tell you.” And, at the end 120000 people of the great city Nineveh was saved.
Elijah the mighty prophet in Israel at a time when the nation had turned away from the Lord and were worshipping Baal, King Ahab had formed an alliance with Ethbaal, the King of Sidon and married Jezebel his daughter. Elijah boldly tells Ahab that there will not be dew or rain for the years except when he says so. He goes off to hide by the Brook Cherith and when it dries up the Lord commands him, 1King 17:9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” If it was us we would think, “Come on God, there might be so many widows in Zarephath now how in the world will I know? Can you give me a clue please?” But, God did not give any detail, verse 10 says he arose and went to Zarephath and as God had promised, the arrangement was taken care of on arrival. Not only did the widow provide food for him but Elijah was used by God to change the history of the suicidal widow and her sons.
Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, [even] to the children of Israel. Joshua an important figure in the events of Exodus, is the successor of Moses chosen by God He had assisted Moses, and was also commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against Amalekites. While the people camped at Shittim, he took over as leader, he was told by God to cross over Jordan and take over the Promised Land which God was to give unto the Israelites. It begins with a major speech by God, He commands and encourages Joshua but does not give any detail about acquiring of the territory. Joshua had to face wars for many years and he conquered 6 nations and 31 kings, the land was divided amongst the 12 tribes of Israel.
We see in the above verses each time God did not provide a detailed road map to any of his commands. They had to believe him, trust him and take the steps but the result was always mind blowing. Has God asked you to arise and do something? Trust Him and take that step, you will not regret. When He says arise then He takes responsibility.
Or has He said, Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Hasn’t God spoken to you through this verse that the light and glory of the Lord is upon you, so shine for the Lord? So much so that, both gentiles and kings would come to your light, Jesus. Go ahead and Shine!!!
Sol.Lalitha Menon