Jonah and the Big Fish
I’m sure if you have been to Sunday School ever in your life, you have heard the story of Jonah and the big fish. Here is a little recap: God orders Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn them that God is going to smite them for their sins.
The Word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai.
“Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it,
because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
Jonah 1:1-2
Like many people these days, Jonah isn’t thrilled to go to Iraq and his new assignment. So he goes missing, nowhere to be found. Next thing we know, he is jumping ship at Joppa and is headed for Tarshish and God is really not happy with him. So He sends a storm of huge proportion and the sailors start to pray for a rescue, “each cried out to their own god…”.
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose
that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid
and each cried out to their own god…
Jonah 1:3-5
As the storm gets rough, Jonah goes below the deck and takes a nap. Why is he sleeping at this stressful hour? He is avoiding difficulty.
It doesn’t work. The captain decides to wake him up and the rest of the sailors are trying to figure out why all this is happening to them. Jonah begins to explain that he worships the Lord God Almighty and that at this very moment, he is fleeing the Lord’s commands. The sailors are so afraid to hear about God. They all worship a god of their own so why are they so frightened of the Lord? They are realizing that Jonah’s God is mightier than their own.
Finally Jonah tells them to throw him overboard to please the Lord. The sailors hesitate at first, not really wanting to toss him over. They try to row the other way but it’s all for nothing. So, as a last resort, they throw him overboard (verse 15) and guess what? The storm stops and the sailors make a sacrifice to God (verse 16).
The Lord God Almighty provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah (verse 17). “Provided” is amazing. The fish isn’t really a punishment, the fish is salvation. Jonah spends a long, relaxing weekend in the belly of a fish. He stayed on his knees praying the whole time and thanking God for rescuing him from death (Jonah 2:2-9). God commands the fish to spit him out. He is free and ready to do God’s work.
Do you see how much prayer plays such a big part of this story? God hears and answers and saves him from certain death. But the miracle doesn’t stop there. Jonah goes to Ninevah. The Ninevites pray and it works and God pardons the city. Prayer again is working (Jonah 2:1,10)!!
Prayer leads to God’s provision—always. It may not be exactly what you asked for but God always answers. And, depending on how close you are listening, you just may hear Him. We see God’s character; He may be demanding but He is always merciful. And you may see something as punishment but it just may be saving your life. Whatever you may be going through right now, the Lord knows and He sees and He is ready to save you. His timing is perfect. Whether He sends a fish (or spares you the fish), He is always on your side and He has a perfect plan.
Do you know Him? I love Him so much that I want everyone to get to experience His love. If your answer is “no, I don’t know God”, then I ask you to pray this simple prayer with me. Today is your day and your life can change.
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Let’s pray together: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus, Your Son, shed His blood for me and my sins are forgiven. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and accept You in my heart. Thank You for grace unlimited and for this new life that is mine through You. In Your name I pray, amen.
