Sept 26th DEVO-Jonah

Jonah 2


Jonah's Prayer

 1Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,  2saying,

   "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress,
   and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
   and you heard my voice. 
3For you cast me into the deep,
   into the heart of the seas,
   and the flood surrounded me;
all your waves and your billows
   passed over me. 
4Then I said, 'I am driven away
   from your sight;
Yet I shall again look
   upon your holy temple.' 
5The waters closed in over me to take my life;
   the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped about my head 
 6at the roots of the mountains.
I went down to the land
   whose bars closed upon me forever;
yet you brought up my life from the pit,
   O LORD my God. 
7When my life was fainting away,
   I remembered the LORD,
and my prayer came to you,
   into your holy temple. 
8Those who pay regard to vain idols
   forsake their hope of steadfast love. 
9But I with the voice of thanksgiving
   will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
   Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

10And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.


I think it is easy to look at the book of Jonah as a nice little children’s story, that conjures up images like those found in “Finding Nemo”.  I also, think it is easy for us to look down our noses at Jonah and think, “How could anyone think they could run from God; a God that is omnipotent and omnipresent?”  But as I look at myself, I can see how there were many times in which I was running from what God desired for my life. If it would have been up to me, my life would have looked a lot different.  I would have played college or even pro sports.  My business would have instantly flourished. I would be living in a big house, driving a nice car.  But I thank God that He knows better than me how my time on earth should  be spent.  God has constantly reminded me, through the years and in various ways, that His way is better.  I think to some extent this will always be a struggle.  My selfishness versus His Glory.  My desires in conflict with kingdom desires.  But, thank God for His redirection.  There have been points where God has had to bring a little rain into my life to make me see that I am here for His purpose and not my own. Instead of a storm or big fish, God used a little heartache and dissappointment.  Yet, the effect was the same; to draw my attention to Him.  Sometimes His hand is a gentle nudge, at other times it spins me around and brings me to my knees.  But isn’t this where we need to be humbly submitting to His will?  Are you running  from what God desires for you?  Are you running after your own desires? Brothers and sisters do not wait until you are sitting in the belly of a big fish before you realize it is all about Him.