I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 20th of February 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start with Jonah 1:3:

 "But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."

You can't run from God. Don't try and run from God. The Lord told Jonah to go to Ninevah, warn the people, and tell them to repent. Jonah didn't do that; he ran away, but we know the end of the story. Jonah didn't win!  You know, folks, when God calls you, you must obey Him. I have found, in my life, that happiness comes only through obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.  You know, Jeremiah had the same situation. Jeremiah 20:9:

"Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name."
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not."

You see, they made a mockery of Jeremiah. They put him in the city square in stocks. They hurled abuse at him, and probably rotten vegetables and everything else. He said, "I have had enough, Lord. I am not doing this anymore. I am not speaking up for You anymore." And then he says, "But there is a fire in my bones, and I cannot help myself. I have to keep on preaching." 

I had an incident many, many years ago as a young preacher. I was invited to a little town, and from the start, everything went wrong. The venue was a bad choice; it was a hotel on a Friday night, and all the boys, their girlfriends and/or wives were there, having a massive party. I was supposed to speak at about 6 o'clock, but the food only arrived at about 8 o'clock, so they put me on the floor at about 9 pm. 

Many of these people were under the weather already, and I preached my heart out and made an altar call. I told them to come forward so that I could pray for them to accept Jesus. Folks, not one single person responded! I have never, ever forgotten that.  I stood alone in that hall by myself, and they all sat in their chairs at the tables, arms folded, some sniggering, some smiling, and some of them not even with us. I stood alone. I will never forget it. I prayed and went home to the minister's house for the night. I didn't sleep that night, folks; I wrestled. I was in a cold sweat. "Lord, why am I doing this? They don't even want me here. Lord, there is a church on every street corner. I am a successful farmer; I don't have to do this." I felt the Lord say to me, almost tangibly, "Are you going to do this or not?" And I said, "Okay."

We had a men's breakfast the following day, and two men came forward. That was a start; on Sunday, we were in the township, and I want to tell you the dam broke, and multitudes came forward. Don't give up today. You are on the brink of a miracle. Just obey the Lord!

Jesus bless you, and goodbye.