But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish... Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights... From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God... And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land... Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time (Jonah 1:3,17; 2:1, 10; 3:1).
Heavenly Father, You are a God of justice and mercy. The psalmist described You so aptly, Lord our God, You answered [the Israelites]; You were to Israel a forgiving God, though You punished their misdeeds (Psalm 99:8).
The prophet Jonah similarly experienced the consequences for his misdeeds, but also found in You a forgiving God. You heard his distress even after his disobedience plunged him into the depths (Jonah 2:3).
Lord, rebellious humanity often rails against Your perfect justice, desiring to be left unchecked in its defiance and disobedience. Yet the consequences, the chaos, and the confusion from rebellion and disobedience leave us wringing our hands and crying out in desperation.
Thank You that You do not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103:10). Thank You that You meet us in that moment of truth when we turn to You in humble repentance. Even when we are reeling in the rough seas of disobedience; even when we are tossed overboard; even when we are swallowed by the depths, You hear us when we call.
Thank You, that Your grace does not limit us to a single chance. Yet Lord, remind us of the words of the apostle Paul, Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! (Romans 6:1-2). Give us obedient hearts and willing spirts so we do not end up being swallowed, and churned in the slimy depths before finally being vomited to safety.
Jonah concluded that those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them (Jonah 2:8). Let that not be true of us, O Father. Instead, let us be the ones with shouts of grateful praise, saying "Salvation comes from the Lord" (Jonah 2:9).
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