1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2
He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave
I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
4
I said, 'I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.'
5
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
7
"When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
8
"Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9
But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
10
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
At the beginning of Chapter two we find Jonah crying out to God! Why is Jonah in
such despair? When we read the previous chapter we read that the Lord
requested Jonah to go to Nineveh, however Jonah was afraid and ran away from the
Lord. He disobeyed God here. This is very serious because when we as
people disobey God, we sin against Him and by doing so also breaking His heart.
As chapter two continues Jonah is becoming aware that God is allowing the large
fish to protect him from the massive ocean. However what is more important
here is that Jonah surrenders fully to God realizing the sin that he has
committed by disobeying. He admits God is the only one that can save him
and agrees to obey the Lord from now on. At this level God realizes Jonah
is sincere therefore releasing Jonah from the great fish. My question to
us is how often do we react to God in the very same way? Disobeying him,
sinning against Him and breaking his heart. We are wise if we accept his
administration very quickly. However if we do not we may live a life of
suffering the consequences for our previous actions until we come to God, repent
and ask for forgiveness. He will forgive us if we only ask. What a
life to be able to live free in Christ.
My prayer is that my life will be a reflection of Christ everyday and all day,
not just one or two hours on Sunday morning. Whatever proceeds from my
mouth and whatever I do with my hands and feet must be edifying, uplifting, and
encouraging at all times. So much of this and with such intensity
and exuberance that those who surround me that do not have a personal
relationship what Christ already would hunger thirst and be convicted for such a
relationship that I truly do have and enjoy with my loving Savior.
My life in Christ must show consistency and evidence through trials and
tribulations, trusting God at all times and this being visible! Having a
relationship and living a lifestyle of this nature will ultimately honor,
glorify and be so very pleasing to our one and only Heavenly Father. I
love Him with all my heart!!
Jim Kueger