Jonah 2 ~ New International Version
1From 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 deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the depths,
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, [waters were at my throat]
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, LORD my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the depths,
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, [waters were at my throat]
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, LORD my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
7 “When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
8 “Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
turn away from God’s love for them.
9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
So it is with faith. And a couple of quotes to back this up....
Mark 10:15
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Matthew 17:20
Jesus replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
So. Did Jonah wind up in the fish or is this a great, useful analogy to being hip deep in alligator swamp when the objective was to drain the swamp. And we will use another great Jesus Biblical quote....
Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20
a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
The answer is always Jesus, but Jesus says not to get stumped.
Bringing up the serious level, now. I do believe that Jonah was in the fish. God was getting the job done. Jonah was trying to play his life's work, Ministry, in his own time, his own plan, and God decided Jonah was going to do what God wanted.
If you don't believe Jonah was in the fish, I do hope you believe Jonah existed, because the message of Jonah's life was to carry God's salvation to Assyria. And in bringing salvation to Assyria, we see Nebuchadnezzar did the work of God. The message of Jonah is both Great and Small. God helps those who need help. Today. Personally. God listens, God loves, God acts.
The Scriptures prove more and more each day in scientific, archeological, historical fact - that this Biblical stuff isn't stuff - it is fact. Serious fact.
The larger message of God is this, God does not exist in boundaries. God is not only for Jonah. God is not only for Israel. God is for Assyria and God is for Nebuchadnezzar. His ways are holiness. And unfortunately, much Higher than ours as we put one foot in front of the other, but still, Praise God, leading us to Him.
This is the nature of the Lord Most High. He is for everyone. He is worthy to be praised.
He isn't about Black-eyed Peas, don't step on a crack, wear a little bracelet with knots tied in it so many days, pray in this exact fashion, eat this diet, or wear your hair like this.
He does not ask you to sit up straight. He does not ask you to refrain from alcohol. He does not ask you not to dance. He does not ask you not to chew gum. He is not partial to one skin type or one color. He is not partial to one class over another. He does not say cleanliness is next to Him. He does not say that if you pay attention to Him at least once a week, He is pleased. He does not ask you to seek wealth. He is more fond of wisdom and kindness.
Father God seeks you. Father God does not expect you to save yourself. He doesn't just put you off until eternity, He is part of this life. He wants your love and trust. He is for you. He chose to create you. He is about love, wisdom, loyalty, forgiveness and eternity. He loves you. God is for you.
Psalm 117
1 Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
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