Relying on God's Power to Provide

Scripture – Jonah 1:13-17: ¹³Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. ¹⁴Then they cried to the LORD, “O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased.” ¹⁵Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. ¹⁶At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. ¹⁷But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) At first, the sailors acted just like Jonah. They were told what to do, but they did just the opposite. They tried to save themselves by their own power. And they could not. So they threw Jonah overboard, and the seas grew calm. As a result, the sailors gained a new understanding of God, leading them to make new vows to Him. I wonder what became of them after this. Did they become converted? Did they put their trust in the one God who could save them? Salvation begins when I recognize I cannot save myself. It continues as I let the Lord do His work in me – calming storms and bringing peace. As for Jonah, I also notice “the Lord provided” for him, as well.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I’ll be aware of where and when I resist Christ’s direction. I’ll watch for the times I’m tempted to rely on my own power instead of His.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, you have done for me what I could not do for myself. I live with the hope of eternal life only because of what you have done through your cross. Thank you for that. And thank you for this fresh look at the old story of Jonah.