Jonah ought to know! Who could imagine a more impossible predicament than being swallowed by this sea monster? But “you listen to me… you answered my prayer,” There are numberless problems in life that “swallow” people.
Often the problem is so great that the victim even destroys his or her own life. These too-common happenings tell us that human nature alone isn’t strong enough for the battles of life.
But, like Jonah, we give ourselves up to God once we admit we’re sinful and weak. He is able to help us with everything that happens to us.
Jonah’s Prayer
Jonah 2:1-10
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.
Jonah prayed: “I called to the LORD in my distress, and he answered me. From the depths of my watery grave I cried for help, and you heard my cry. You threw me into the deep, into the depths of the sea, and water surrounded me. All the whitecaps on your waves have swept over me. “Then I thought, ‘I have been banished from your sight. Will I ever see your holy temple again?’
“Water surrounded me, threatening my life. The deep sea covered me completely. Seaweed was wrapped around my head. I sank to the foot of the mountains. I sank to the bottom, where bars held me forever. But you brought me back from the pit, O LORD, my God.
“As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer came to you in your holy temple. Those who hold on to worthless idols abandon their loyalty to you. But I will sacrifice to you with songs of thanksgiving. I will keep my vow. Victory belongs to the LORD!”
Then the LORD spoke to the fish, and it spit Jonah out onto the shore.
