From inside the fish Jonah prayed ... "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry."
Jonah was disobedient, rebellious, selfish, and racist. He had run from the Lord rather than seeing his hated enemies spared by God when they repented. He had shunned the Lord's command and commission to preach a saving message and call to repentance to the people of Nineveh whom he hated. He had endangered the lives of those on the ship where he had tried to hide and run away. Yet even in the middle of his rebellion, God heard his cry and delivered him. If you are in rebellion, in hiding because of some secret sin, or in shame for not answering the call of God in your life, please know this: The Lord wants to ransom, redeem, and reclaim you for your good, his glory, and others' salvation! Returning to the Lord means deliverance. He is longing to welcome you on your return. And as Jonah's life shows, your salvation is a blessing for you and all those God can reach through you!
My Prayer...
Holy and righteous Father, please forgive me for the times that I have been in rebellion to your will. Please help me recognize those times and give me the strength to avoid those temptations. In your grace, dear Father, please help me live as you want me to live and lead me to someone else who needs to know of your grace and redemption. Please use me to help them escape from their bondage to sin and shame. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
"The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find..."
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."
"The streams of living water which flow from Jerusalem are not dried up by the parching heats of sultry midsummer any more than they were frozen by the..."
About This Devotional
Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Comments
Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment