Skip to main content

Jonah 2:1

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
(NIV)
I have never been in a fish. I hope to never be in a fish, but there have been many times that I have been in a similar predicament.

I have been like Jonah. I have been walking the opposite way from the way God would have me to go. Sometimes it has been a life decision, like Jonah's. I knew that God wanted me to go a certain way, but I didn't want to go that way. Eventually I convinced myself that I was doing the right thing. I was acting "wisely" to some observers, but in my heart I knew the truth.

Sometimes it isn't some major life decision, but a simple command. God's way has been laid out for me, but I just simply don't want to do it. I want to do things my way instead of His way. So I head the opposite direction and find myself in a fish (figuratively speaking).

Have you ever been in a "fish" situation in your life? You have gone the wrong way and you end up in a smelly, sticky situation. I don't believe that Jonah is the first one to end up in a fish, and I am sure he won't be the last one.

Notice though that Jonah, once he is in the belly, begins to pray. Jonah chapter 2 is that prayer. As we read through it, I hope that you consider your own belly of the fish situations. Many people truly find God when they are in the worst of situations.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (NIV) This verse might be best served with some definitions. Bitterness - Just what it says, bitterness. It is a bitter root that produces a bitter fruit. Rage - Usually translated as Wrath. It has to do with a passionate anger. This is the person who is fuming. They are bubbling over with anger. Anger - This word has also been translated as wrath. It is most definitely referring to the actions associated with anger. It doesn't have to mean this, but their can also be the association with violence. This is the person who is acting out on their anger, in a sinful way. Brawling - Ok, I just learned something new, this word has to do with making an outcry, or a crying. After I read the definitions, what immediately jumped into my mind was the person who yells when they are angry. He may not do something violent, but he is letting everyone know exactly how angry he is. He is a ye...

Psalm 136:4

to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. (NIV) If this verse said, "to him who does great wonders..." it would still be a great verse. We could talk about all of the wonders that God does. Everything from the rings of Saturn and the Sombrero Galaxy to the forming of a child inside its mothers womb or even how electrons are spinning around the atoms and not flying off. We could talk about all of those things and marvel at His wonders. But get this, all of the great wonders are His! He doesn't just get credit for great wonders, He gets credit for all of them, because the verse says, "to him who alone does great wonders..." God has no counterpart. He has no arch-rival. There is none like Him, and He is the only one who is doing the wonderful stuff! He is the changer of hearts and lives. He is the redeemer. He is the savior. He is the God who hears and the God who sees. And the most wonderful of all, His love endures Forever!

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV) I know that this verse is a great comfort to many people. This world is full of heartache, pain, and sorrow, so when we see a verse that tells us that our mourning will be comforted, it is a great promise to cling on to. But the real question to ask is, "what are you mourning for?" There are many people who are mourning about the wrong things. They are weeping and wailing because they can't get what they want. This is a lesson that I am always trying to teach my boys. When things don't go their way, they will start to cry about it. I immediately say, "is this something to cry about?" If they aren't for sure how to answer the question, I will begin giving them some examples of things that are worthy of tears. What are you mourning for?