Jon 1:5-6, 5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, … But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
Troubles can come from various sources, whether they find us or are a result of our own actions. In this passage, Jonah caused a wind sent by God because he defied His instructions. His disobedience not only endangered his own life but also the lives of those on the ship. Unaware of Jonah’s role, the people on the ship turned to their false gods for salvation. Jonah, a true believer, remained unconcerned until a non-believer rebuked him. This non-believer urged Jonah to call upon his true God for salvation.
Those who are oblivious to the storm around them may be questioned about their indifference. This false sense of security, as shown by Jonah, leaves others wondering why believers don’t rise up and call upon their God. Believers should be diligent in their prayers and not wait for non-believers to be the first to call upon false gods. They should not be complacent and assume everything is fine. If believers truly understood the urgency of the times, like the sons of Issachar, they would actively pray in these evil days (Eph 5:16).