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Jonah Prays to God
August 29, 2015

Last week we read the first chapter of the Book of Jonah and saw that fleeing from God when you are called may result in God taking an active interest in your life and experiencing divine intervention in ways that most would rather no experience. This week we follow the story of Jonah as he prays to God.

Jonah 2:1-3
Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

Jonah found himself in the belly of a great fish. The smell must have been hard to take. Jonah did what he could do and ask God for help, even though Jonah realized his actions prompted God's response.

Jonah 2:4-7
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

As Jonah was taken deeper and deeper into the ocean, somehow Jonah must have realized the seriousness of his situation. All Jonah could do is rely on God.

Jonah 2:8-10
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Jonah realized his attempt to flee from God was phony. He also recognized only God could save him. And with that thought, the great fish vomited Jonah on dry land. Jonah must have looked and smelled awful. When we are called by God for whatever purpose he gives us, even if we try to run from God, God will bring us to see his point of view to once more be given the opportunity to do the will of God.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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