That Great City
Jonah 1:1-2
“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
This story has a special place in my heart as it was a sermon from this passage of Scripture that caused me to surrender to be a preacher of the Gospel. Bro. James Holder was preaching a missions conference, and he preached about the need of Nineveh. That night God showed me the need of a nation and I surrendered to preach.
The need has not changed since that night. Nineveh was a great metropolitan city that needed a man of God. Yet, when God wanted to send a man of God to that city, Jonah ran from God and wanted nothing to do with it. Friend, it is sad that the need of Nineveh still represents the need of many great cities. No, a city is not a great city because it has a large population, but it is a great city because God called someone to go there. That is what we miss! We think it was a great city because of the population, but it was a great city because God called Jonah to go there. Do you realize that there is a great city for you to reach? In fact, most who read this devotional are already living in their great city. There are some who read this devotional who need to heed the call of God and go to a city where God has called them. In any case, there are great cities all over this world whom God has already called someone to go to, and just like Jonah they are avoiding the call. Let me show you why so many great cities are dying and going to Hell.
First, great cities are not being reached because people are running from the call of God. Jonah ran from God’s call instead of running towards it. There are many people who want nothing to do with the call of God because of what they will have to give up to obey it. Some are running from the call of God because they are too wrapped up in making money. Some are running from the call of God because they are too wrapped up in being successful in their career. Some are running from the call of God because it doesn’t fit into their own dreams. While you run from the call of God, people are dying and going to Hell.
Second, great cities are not being reached because people are sleeping on the call of God. Jonah went to the bottom of the ship and went to sleep because he didn’t want to think about God’s call. Sadly, there are many today sleeping on the call of God to reach their great city. All around you are people who need Christ. Let me ask you, when is the last time you witnessed to someone and showed them how they can go to Heaven? Are you asleep on the call to reach your great city? Are you blinded and can’t see the thousands of people whom you pass by every day?
Third, great cities are not being reached because people are fighting the call of God. Jonah fought God about his calling for three days in the belly of the whale before finally surrendering his will. Too many want nothing to do with the call of God, and they are willing to face God’s chastening hand to avoid it. Don’t let that be you. While people fight the call of God, the great cities they are supposed to reach are slipping out into a Christless eternity.
Are you reaching your great city? I certainly understand that everyone isn’t called to be a preacher, but everyone is called to reach their great city. Your great city is where you currently live. It may be a metropolitan city or it could be an urban community, but it is a great city because God called you to be there and reach those people. I challenge you today to do your part in reaching your great city. All it takes is one individual to get serious and obey God for Him to reach a great city. Whatever you do, don’t let your great city slip out into Hell.