Sunday, 5th November 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: THE PSALM AND PRAYER OF JONAH
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly. And said, I cried by reason of my affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and you heard my voice.” – Jonah 2:1-2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- With what confidence did Jonah pray to God, having been rebellious all this while?
Jonah had adamantly tried to flee from God. In the fish’s belly, Jonah returned to God with a prayer and a psalm. This psalm is full of Jonah’s rediscovery of God’s omnipotence, compassion, and grace for those who turn to Him in faith. Jonah was prevented from drowning and dying. However, he was still not safely home. He was in a fish’s belly when he prayed to God.
This psalm and prayer of Jonah reveal to us how we are to return to God in prayer during times of distress or when we are in the middle of a crisis due to our disobedience.
See, when we end up in a ditch due to disobedience, our self-condemnation rears its ugly head. Prayer to God becomes a difficult thing because we feel unworthy to approach the same God who warned us and we refused to heed. If Jonah, the adamant prophet, could pray and God would listen to him, then we, whom Christ shed His blood for, can confidently approach God’s throne of grace any time and any day, and we will find mercy in our most difficult moments.
In Jonah’s psalm and prayer to God, he began by affirming that God has heard him, and out of the belly of hell, He has heard his voice.
This is profound. It is a bold declaration and an expression of strong faith in God. In the belly of the fish, Jonah saw God’s abundant mercies and unfailing love for him. He confesses that though he was cast out of the sight of God, yet will he look again towards His holy temple (Jonah 2:4). Beloved, what do you see when you wake up in the morning? Your problems or His mercies? Your challenges or His manifold love? Jonah never doubted the love of God for him, even in his rebellion against God. How could you doubt God’s love for you?
Beloved, should you not rest and rely on God’s unfailing love for you today and every other day?
Precious one, disobedience, and rebellion are costly. They bring into our lives unpalatable consequences. Never conclude that you deserve the consequences of your disobedience, so you will sit and not seek help. In the midst of the unpalatable consequences, God’s mercies can reach out to you if only you will ask Him for them. For where sin abounded, grace abounded the more (Rom 5:20). In faith, ask and receive His mercies, and He will show you mercy. Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING – Jonah 2:1-9
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How confident are you in God’s love and mercies every day when you wake up?
CONFESSION
Precious Father, thank you for your love. Where would I have been without your love? Every day of my life is a day of your renewed mercies. I express my gratitude to you Lord, for the depth of your love towards me. I ask and receive more of your grace in every difficult situation I find myself. In Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 34; Hosea 2; Acts 16; Acts 17
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