The Thankful Prayer of a Wrecked Rebel

Jonah 2 centers on Jonah’s prayer, and I believe the heart of this prayer is Jonah’s thankfulness for his deliverance.

Depravity Brings Humble Thanksgiving

Another bit of strange irony? Whereas the pagan sailors couldn't get Jonah to pray, being stuck in the belly of a fish did.

Jonah prays concerning himself. Sheol is the place of death. It can refer to a place of judgment, but more literally it is the place of death.

As Jonah is restored, communication between God and His prophet is reestablished. It's not that God didn't speak to Jonah, but that Jonah didn't listen and certainly didn't respond.

Jonah knows how he ended up in the sea and in the belly of this great fish - it was the LORD'S doing. God used the waves and…billows as means to bring judgment.

Notice the irony of this passage. The thing Jonah was seeking — escape from God’s presence — has somewhat been granted by God’s judgment. Jonah says he is driven away from God’s sight. Yet there is hope. Jonah is confident of his deliverance. How can he be so sure? The great fish itself is God’s mercy and grace.

One thing that is probably missed on us is the historical concept of drowning in the sea for Jews. They feared that one would NOT be resurrected if they drown in the sea.

Here’s what is certain: separation from Christ truly means death.

Illustration: There once was a woman who was spared from the gallows, and how she thanked the king for his generosity was nothing less than humiliating.

Application: Jesus said that story would forever be proclaimed. (Matthew 26:6–13 “Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.””) Wrestling with the depths of our depravity and the death we deserve draws forth a humble thanksgiving that cannot be summoned in our own strength. It’s drawn from the deep wells of grace.

Rescue Brings Joyful Thanksgiving

Jonah seems keenly aware of God’s grace. Any judgment he would have received was utterly justified. And, he is aware that he has done nothing to warrant God’s rescue. God brought up his life from the pit. All credit is due to God.

The prayer mimics the confident hope of vs.4. Here, Jonah is delivered, and Jonah’s prayer has indeed reached God’s dwelling place. What a gift God has given us, this gift of prayer. Those who belong to Him need not fear being heard. Can our prayers be hindered? Sure, but the restored repenter always has the ear of God.

Jonah cries out and he is heard in vs.2. This hope isn’t shared by those who reject YHWH. Those who regard vain (empty and worthless) idols (false gods) forsake the source of true chesed, which could be theirs. This is the mirror opposite of what Jonah confesses at the beginning — the hopelessness and, by extension sorrow, of rejecting God.

But do we have similar reason to rejoice? Yes! Turning from vain pursuits to the God who loved us, sent Jesus to be our atoning sacrifice, and was raised that we might have new life. (PREACH THE GOSPEL)

Illustration: When will we stop asking vain things to save us? You retort, “We’ve never!” But, how often, gentlemen, do you consider your worth and value by the status of the toys in your driveway or the title you hold at your job. Ladies, before you say, “That’s right. Preach!” Remember that the state of your home may carry clout with others, but cleanliness is not next to godliness. That’s not in the Book. And that’s saying nothing of the fleeting and temporary joys we constantly beg to make life meaningful…and they don’t.

Application: IF we’ve wrestled with the depths of our depravity and endless riches of His grace, we must respond in joyful thanksgiving. It’s why David prayed “Restore to me the JOY of Your salvation.” It’s both a settled content that come what may, I am Christ’s and He is mine. But, it’s also a heart that rejoices in the love of its redeemer.

Answered Prayer Brings Obedient Thanksgiving

Jonah makes a definitive statement: Salvation belongs to YHWH! This comes on the heels of Jonah’s deliverance, but also serves as an introduction and transition to the next portion of Scripture when Jonah will again be commissioned to preach to the Ninevites. Reading as a narrative, if we could remove ourselves from the rest of Jonah, it seems we could be left with hope at the end of this chapter. Maybe Jonah has had a change of heart. However, knowing the rest of the story, we know that Jonah is piously thankful for his salvation, but despises that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13).

Sacrifice has to do with worship and has deep OT roots. It obeys the commands of God, seeking to be in a right relationship with Him.

Vows in this context would deal with making good on the promises and commitments made to God — obedience.

Why does Jonah now want to worship and obey?

Salvation belongs to the LORD. Grace has visited Him. We know grace has visited us when obedience is no longer a burden.

What choice does he have? See Romans 12:1–2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (acceptable and reasonable act of) worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Illustration: Scripture is replete with this idea that the proper response to God is worshipful obedience. It’s the call of Genesis 1 and Adam and Eve. It’s the will of God expressed in the Exodus. It’s the repentant call of the prophets through Israel’s wandering years. It’s the NT response to the gospel we mentioned above. And finally, it’s one of the hopes of Revelation.

Application:

Verse 10, God gives him opportunity to live it out. Imagine if God had then let Jonah die. How different would the story be? Jonah would’ve been repentant, the pagan sailors from chapter 1 redeemed, and the story ends with a happy ending! But that’s not the case.

Mother’s Day Prayer

Father, we thank you for the gift of motherhood. Thank You for the unique role that only they can fill in the family — how they teach with wisdom and encourage and exhort with patience. Today, we celebrate our moms and their loving sacrifice as they have and are nurturing us and guiding us in the truth. Bless them with joy, strength, and love as they continue in this high calling of mother. May they feel deeply appreciated today, and help us to honor them every day.

We lift up the mothers to You. Give them strength. Grant them wisdom so that they can face the duties of every day with faith. Encourage them when they’re weary. Strengthen them when they feel overwhelmed. Bless them with love and peace. Whether they are affirming or disciplining, let every word and deed be done in love, and let their impact even be beyond the four walls of the home, extending both to other families, our community and our churches.

For the struggling mothers, the ones that are hurting and fighting fear and worry — first, thank you for the trial that shapes them into Your image. Second, remind them that they are not simply fending for themselves, even if it feels like it. Even in their doubting, You are there. Even if they feel You’ve forgotten, You haven’t. Simply remind them that You are the better way. You are absolutely trustworthy. You are the all-powerful God. You are completely in control in every season and circumstance, and there’s not a path that they walk down that You are not sovereign over, using every situation for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. We pray for peace and encouragement, and we thank You that though the difficulties are not what we would choose, Your ways are perfect and higher than our own. For the struggling moms, grant them release and surrender.

For those without their moms, bring comfort. Help them to keep their eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter or our faith. You keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed upon You. Let them find in You the comfort and love, that they may remember You have not left their side.

For the single mom, grant them an uncommon strength. Help them to continue to be good stewards of the children You have blessed them with. Give them wisdom to raise their children in a fear and knowledge of who You are. Remind the single mothers that they do not go at it alone. You walk with them through each and every one of life’s situations. You guide and grant wisdom and strength. Send encourage their way, though, when they feel the road is long and tough. Be their Great Provider, that they would know no want, and where there might be lack, fill it with Your abundance.

For those who are not mothers, be it because that desire has not yet been met or by Your divine wisdom, You have a different call for them — strengthen and encourage them today. Remind them that You are always mindful of them and the desires of their heart. Remind them that they can cast every burden on You because You care for them. Remind them that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light for you are gentle and lowly. Greet them with compassion today. Surround them with Your steadfast love and mercy and grace. Give her a contentment that comes only from placing faith and trust in You, and meet their every need, giving her new joy in her relationship with You today.

We pray all of this, both supplication and blessing, in Jesus’ name, amen.