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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Jonah was disobedient, rebellious, selfish, and racist. He had run from the Lord rather than seeing his hated enemies spared by God when they repented. He had shunned the Lord‘s command and commission to preach a saving message and call to repentance to the people of Nineveh whom he hated. He had endangered the lives of those on the ship where he had tried to hide and run away. Yet even in the middle of his rebellion, God heard his cry and delivered him. If you are in rebellion, in hiding because of some secret sin, or in shame for not answering the call of God in your life, please know this: The Lord wants to ransom, redeem, and reclaim you for your good, his glory, and others’ salvation! Returning to the Lord means deliverance. He is longing to welcome you on your return. And as Jonah’s life shows, your salvation is a blessing for you and all those God can reach through you!
My Prayer…
Holy and righteous Father, please forgive me for the times that I have been in rebellion to your will. Please help me recognize those times and give me the strength to avoid those temptations. In your grace, dear Father, please help me live as you want me to live and lead me to someone else who needs to know of your grace and redemption. Please use me to help them escape from their bondage to sin and shame. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Bible References
2 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
Jonah 2:1-2
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God, He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
Well, Jonah had committed some serious sins against God when he found himself in the belly of the fish! In order to get his full and undivided attention God arranged for this miraculous event to happen. To say that it had to be disgusting and terrifying in the belly of a fish is probably a huge understatement! But when we belong to God He will do whatever it takes to get us to submit to His will for us. And it certainly did work, Jonah cried out to God and God heard his cry and delivered him out of the belly of the fish by way of the fish vomiting him up on to dry land (Jonah 2:10)…ewww!!
You may be wondering about now, what are we to take away from this account in Jonah’s life? When God calls us to do something, DO IT! No matter how much we do not want to do what He asks of us, His will is perfect, ours is not! He sees our entire life from first breath to last and wants us to trust Him enough to give Him the reins to our life, and to live it for His glory.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – that is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are never too deep in sin or despair to call out to God and experience His rescue! He is waiting for us to repent of our sins and submit to Him in all we say and do. When we do this He opens up the flood gates of blessings in our lives (1 Samuel 2:30), lives that now can go out into this world and be a huge witness of the power, mercy, and grace of our wonderful Father God!
So, has God called you to do something for Him that you have tired to ignore, or put off? Make a point this very day of saying to God, “God I want to do Your will, please give me the strength, desire, and courage to do as You have asked, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” Then step out in faith (Philippians 4:13) and watch as God lines everything up for you to do just that!
Father God, thank You for Your great love, mercy, grace, and patience with me! Help me to be sensitive to Your calling on my life for I desire to live this life for You alone, Abba! I love You so and give You all glory this day, Amen!