Background
God called Jonah to go to the Nineveh to preach God's word encouraging the Ninevites to repent from their sins, otherwise, He will destroy them. Unfortunately, Jonah ran away from this calling. He boarded on a ship going to the opposite direction. While sailing on the sea, God caused a great storm. The ship was almost destroyed while the crews panicked. They casted lots and it fell on Jonah. They inquired about his sin, and he told them to be thrown into the sea. Jonah sunk into the depth; but God gave him a big fish that swallowed him. He was in the fish for three days and three nights. After regaining his life while inside the fish belly, he prayed and gave thanks to God.
Lessons Learned
In the first verse of Jonah chapter 2, we see that Jonah prayed. This is a humble act before God. remember that Jonah ran away from God's call. Now, he is coming before God in prayer. In the succeeding verses, we will see what Jonah uttered to the Lord. But the focus of this exhortation is on the first verse, Jonah's act of coming to God in prayer.
Why did he do that when at first he ran away from God's presence? He did it for simple reason. He was in the midst of a calamity. It seems that he has no choice but to come before the God of all creations, the Almighty who has a full control over everything. he knew that it was God who caused the storm because of what he did; he was also aware that it was God who calmed the sea after he was thrown into the sea. He was also aware that it was God who provided him with a big fish that took him out of the deep. Witnessing all these amazing events, he accepted now the fact that he cannot run away from the God who called him. No choice? Maybe. Or he might have accepted the fact that there is a God who can help him with his predicament. Or, he has repented from what he did, and now coming to God in humility.
Two lessons that we can learn from here: one, let us not await a calamity to strike us before we come to God in repentance. Why do we have to experience such "great storm" before we confess our sins to Him, and seek His forgiveness. We know that God is slow to anger, loving, and relenting to send calamity when we rend our hearts to Him (Joel 2:13). We should not wait God's anger to strike us because we know that we are nothing before Him.
Two, in our distress, we have a God who can help us mightily. There is a God who is Almighty (Exodus 6:3)! So, where shall you go in your troubles? A wise person will not trust his/her life to anyone who is also governed by the forces of nature. A wise person will put his/her trust on a God who can deliver him/her from all troubles (Psalm 34:17).
If you are wise, remember these two lessons. But then again, do not wait when calamity strikes you before you come to God.
Useful Links
The Attributes of God by A. W. Pink
When Tragedy Strikes by Jeff Miller
Lessons Learned
In the first verse of Jonah chapter 2, we see that Jonah prayed. This is a humble act before God. remember that Jonah ran away from God's call. Now, he is coming before God in prayer. In the succeeding verses, we will see what Jonah uttered to the Lord. But the focus of this exhortation is on the first verse, Jonah's act of coming to God in prayer.
Why did he do that when at first he ran away from God's presence? He did it for simple reason. He was in the midst of a calamity. It seems that he has no choice but to come before the God of all creations, the Almighty who has a full control over everything. he knew that it was God who caused the storm because of what he did; he was also aware that it was God who calmed the sea after he was thrown into the sea. He was also aware that it was God who provided him with a big fish that took him out of the deep. Witnessing all these amazing events, he accepted now the fact that he cannot run away from the God who called him. No choice? Maybe. Or he might have accepted the fact that there is a God who can help him with his predicament. Or, he has repented from what he did, and now coming to God in humility.
Two lessons that we can learn from here: one, let us not await a calamity to strike us before we come to God in repentance. Why do we have to experience such "great storm" before we confess our sins to Him, and seek His forgiveness. We know that God is slow to anger, loving, and relenting to send calamity when we rend our hearts to Him (Joel 2:13). We should not wait God's anger to strike us because we know that we are nothing before Him.
Two, in our distress, we have a God who can help us mightily. There is a God who is Almighty (Exodus 6:3)! So, where shall you go in your troubles? A wise person will not trust his/her life to anyone who is also governed by the forces of nature. A wise person will put his/her trust on a God who can deliver him/her from all troubles (Psalm 34:17).
If you are wise, remember these two lessons. But then again, do not wait when calamity strikes you before you come to God.
Useful Links
The Attributes of God by A. W. Pink
When Tragedy Strikes by Jeff Miller
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