From Inside the Fish

Scripture – Jonah 2:1-4: ¹From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. ²He 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. ³You 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. ⁴I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I’ve never known what to make of this “fish” business. Whatever that experience was, in the midst of it Jonah prayed and God heard. It’s interesting that Jonah speaks here in the past tense. So He’s looking back at what happened. Again, whatever the specifics were, God rescued him from an overwhelming situation. Jonah’s prayer acknowledges his banishment from God’s sight. He understood it was God’s hand punishing him for his disobedience. In the same breath, Jonah recognizes hope – “I will look again toward your holy temple.”

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) In Christ there is always hope. Sometimes God punishes me. Other times life just happens and I’m tempted to give up – to be overwhelmed. Whatever happens, I will live in hope. I will not worry about the future today. Christ will bring me through whatever I’m facing.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) You do that, Lord. You carry me and lift me all the time. Sometimes I forget to trust you. Sometimes I focus on the wind and waves rather than you and your call. Keep my heart and mind open to you this day. Save me from the demon of discouragement.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.