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Praying In Desparation (Jonah 2)
really the one who hurled him into the depths.
When we read Verse 3, we can actually see Jonah sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. As he plunged into the very heart of the seas, the cur- rents, waves, and breakers really did a number on him.
In Verses 5 and 6, the wa- ters engulfed him to the point that seaweed was wrapped around his head. He sank so low he was aware of the roots of the mountains. He felt truly trapped—no escape—YET, thou brought up my life from corruption.
Jonah finally got to the point of emotionally owning his own sin.
God Brought Me Up Jonah 2:6-10
In contrast to Jonah’s sin is God’s rescue. Notice the phrase, “But you, Lord my God.” Jonah may not have fully appreciated the wide em- brace of God (see chapter 4). But he did speak in gratitude and praise for God’s answer to his prayer for deliverance. He pictured this rescue as a res-
urrection of sorts (see Matthew 12:40). God brought his life up from the pit (also Psalm 30:3).
In Verse 7, Jonah said, “ When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord.’’
Often we act the same way. When life is going well, we tend to take God for granted, but when we lose hope, we cry out for him. This kind of rela- tionship with God can result in an inconsistent, up-and- down spiritual life. A consis- tent, daily commitment to God promotes a solid rela- tionship with him. Look to God during good and bad times.
Verses 8 and 9, taken at face value, they need not be interpreted to put Jonah in a bad light. He knew that idol worshippers turned from God. While Jonah ran from God, he still worshipped Yah- weh.
Any object of our devotion that replaces God is a lying vanity. We deceive ourselves with something that is ulti- mately empty and foolish.
Make sure that nothing takes God’s rightful play in your life. Jonah was obviously in no position to bargain with God. Instead of drowning, he was saved by being swallowed, not eaten by a large fish, and then vomited on dry land by the fish. (Verse 10). So, Jonah thanked God for saving his
life.
Our troubles should cause
us to cling tightly to God, not make an attempt at bargain- ing our way out of the pain.
We can thank him and praise him for what he has al- ready done for us by his being merciful and loving toward
us. It took a miracle of de- liverance to get Jonah to do as God had commanded. As a prophet he was obligated to obey God’s Word.
Jonah’s story began as a tragedy, but the greater tragedy would have happened if God had allowed him to keep running. When you know God wants you to do something, don’t run. God may not stop you, as he did Jonah.
God is so high that he can help us when we feel so low. The preserving love of God is what came to the rescue of Jonah at his lowest point in life.
Jonah 2 gives voice to Jonah’s prayerful thoughts from inside the fish.
This lesson is a prayer of thanksgiving, not a prayer of deliverance. Jonah was sim- ply thankful that he had not drowned. He was delivered in a most spectacular way and was overwhelmed that he es- caped certain death. Even from inside the fish, Jonah’s prayer was heard by God.
We can pray anywhere and at any time, and God will hear us. Your sin is never too great, your predicament never too
difficult for God.
God Took Me Down Jonah 2:1-6
Jonah recognized that God was totally justified in bring- ing judgment upon him. He knew that he deserved death for his disobedience of run- ning from his Nineveh com- mission.
The result of the experience is obvious. He was in distress because he was in the deep in the realm of the dead (the grave). He called to the Lord, and he called for help. God answered him and listened to his cry.
Jonah connected the dots between what the sailors did to him and God punishing him. He acknowledged that, at the end of the day, God was
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