I Messed Up - What Do I Do Now?
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I Messed Up - What Do I Do Now? Scripture -Jonah 1:17, 2:1-2
I Messed Up - What Do I Do Now? Scripture -Jonah 1:17, 2:1-2
17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.
2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
May God Bless The Reading Hearing & Understanding of his Precious Word!
Prayer
Confession of Faith
Confession of Faith
I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name
I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name
Intro:
Many of us have or will come close to dying at some point in our lives. This could be because of a serious accident, a serious illness, a terminal disease, or any number of other health issues. In other situations, some people will be robbed or attacked, and others will have to worry about fighting and war. No matter how dangerous the situation is, our only safe way out is to turn to Jesus and trust Him. All of us who really believe and follow the Lord will have one of three things happen:
1. He will save us from the immediate danger.
2. He will either walk with us through the danger or save us from it.
3. He will keep us safe through the fear of death so that we can live with Him forever.
Say God’s Got A Plan
God kept Jonah from drowning! That would have ended his life and his mission. check this out
God prepared and sent a big fish to move near the ship so that it would swallow Jonah when they threw him overboard!
Now when you continue to read the book of Jonah - we find God is already preparing something in Jonahs life that equates to him working a miracle in his life!
In chapter 1 verse 17 he prepared a fish!
In chapter 4 and verse 6 he prepared a vine, In Chapter 4 and verse 7 he prepared a worm and in chapter 4 and verse eight he prepared a hot east wind to create a desert storm!
It’s something about God, when he decides to move in your life in a miraculous way - he will use something that you are familiar with!
In Jonah Chapter 2 we find him praying
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.
2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
Jonah was alive! Have you ever been in a situation and you just have to say to yourself - I’m alive! I don’t know whats going to happen next, but I’m alive! I thank you Lord for saving me, because I’m still alive! I may be in this hospital, but I’m still alive, I may be in this prison, but I’m still alive, I may not have all that I need , but I’m still alive, you saved me again and I can say I’m still alive, I may be in some pain, but I’m still alive, You moved me out that storm and I’m still alive, if feels like I’m in hell right now, but I’m still alive! And it’s all because of your grace and mercy!
Man when your disobedience cause you to potentially lose your life and you realize it was God who had stepped in a prepared a way out for you - all you can do is say thank you Lord!
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.
This response from Jonah is a lesson right here for all of us! This verse teaches us the importance of turning to God in our darkest moments. Rather than relying on our own strength or seeking earthly solutions, we should humbly seek God's presence, guidance, and deliverance. Even in the worst situations! Jonah prayed to God from inside the fishes belly! Jonah's prayer reminds us that God is always near, God is with us even in the depths of our struggles. No matter how dire our situation may appear, God is ready to hear our cries and extend His hand of rescue. This is encouragement to go to God with confidence! God is a compassionate and loving Father who listens to the cries of His children.
I Messed Up - What Do I Do Now?
When you find ourselves in a bad place - a challenging situation, You must pray! When chaos is all around and you have no more options - you can't fix the problem, you can't run from the problem, you can’t deny it, and you can't ignore the problem it is essential to maintain an attitude of prayer. It is doing these moments We should pour out our hearts before the Lord, expressing our fears, expressing our doubts, and expressing our needs.
Man, this is the relationship God wants to have with each of us! God desires a deep, intimate relationship with us and invites us to bring our burdens to Him.
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
It’s in that time of prayer, we can find comfort , It’s in that time of prayer we can get strength, It’s in that time of prayer when we open ourselves to God's transformative work in our lives.
MC Hammer said - “That’s why we pray - we got to pray just to make it each day!
2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
another translation says:
2 He prayed: “In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’ You heard my cry.
I don’t know who I am talking to, but it’s bad in your life - really bad! I am asking you to pray! In your deep trouble, in your affliction, in your hurt and pain, in your disappointment do like Jonah - Pray to God!
Jonah praying is teaching me to trust in God's faithfulness, even when I’m surrounded by darkness and uncertainty. Just as God delivered Jonah from the depths, He is faithful to deliver you and me from our trials.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
That’s the promise! I know God will never leave me nor forsake me
That’s the promise! God, I messed up - and I’m coming to you
I am coming Lord, to repent ans seek forgiveness from you God!
When we recognize your disobedience and shortcomings, you must humbly come before God, confessing your sins and seeking His forgiveness. It is through this act of repentance that we can experience the transformative power of God's grace.
Seeing Jonah pray in the belly of the fish let’s me know that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is hope. When we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, we can turn to God, knowing that He is our refuge and strength. He has the power to bring light into our darkest moments and provide us with hope for a brighter future.
Now check this out:
3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.
Watch this - Look at how Jonah knew God was in control over his entire experience. It was not the sailors but rather the Lord who had thrown Jonah overboard into the stormy sea!. The sailors were merely the tools used by God to discipline His prophet. Jonah said You cast me into the deep! When Jonah was being swirled around by the raging currents and the waves he stated that the waves breaking over him were God’s waves and breakers! Even they waves, the water, the turbulence were simply instruments in the hands of God as He disciplined Jonah because of his horrible sin.
God can use, people, elements, circumstances - to let you know - he is with you, but there is a punishment for disobedience!
I Messed Up God, What Do I Do Now
Jonah Repented
4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’
5 “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
In verse 4 Jonah expresses a deep - profound realization of the consequences of his actions. Jonah acknowledges that his disobedience has led to a separation from God's presence. Tha’s what sin will do!
Despite feeling cast away, Jonah's is praying with hope and determination. Jonah says - I’m turning back to you Lord - he uses the temple which is a symbol of God's dwelling place! The temple is a source where God’s presence and mercy resides. Jonah , even in the midst of his situation is seeking reconciliation and restoration with God!
I messed up, but I’m coming back to you Lord!
It’s not over until God says it’s over! It doesn’t matter what you have done or did not do - if you find your life unraveling or you find your self in a bad situation, it’s not over - turn back to God!
5 “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
Jonah vividly, I mean vividly describes the overwhelming experience of being swallowed by the sea. He paints the picture of sinking beneath the waves, with the waters closing over him. Seaweed entangles him,letting us know that he is trapped and powerlessness. That’s real right there!
Jonah's prayer is telling us about the depths of his distress and what he is feeling in the face of his circumstances. Now for me, that imagery of the sea and seaweed reminds me of the consequences of disobedience, and the need for God to rescue me!
Stay with me:
6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
Jonah is praying and saying I have hit rock bottom!
Jonah is like - this thing is so bad, it feels like being imprisoned in the earth with the gates locked shut forever! Basically things are so bad, i see no way out!
But in the same breathe - he acknowledges God’s intervention in his mess! He acknowledges - I should be dead, but you snatched me from the sting of death! You rescued me from death! I never would have made it without you! I should be dead, but now I see how you where there for me!
That prayer should remind you and me about the extent of Hod’s power and God’s grace! Even when we mess up, when we feel separated from God, that’s when we take the little bit of strength and acknowledge that God, you have been with me all this time! Even when I ran from you - you didn’t let me go, Even when I lied to you Lord - you didn’t let me go, When I did it my way, you patiently let me experience the consequences and then you rescued me! Jesus - you never let me go!
Just like the song says I need thee - every hour
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.