He Learned From His Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance- Continue

 

This must be the end. Yet, Jonah sensed something astounding.  He was still alive! He was neither crushed, nor digested, nor even suffocated. No, the breath of life was still in him, though he was in what should rightly be his grave.  Slowly, Jonah became filled with awe.  Without a doubt, it was his God, Jehovah, who had "appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah." - JONAH 1:17.

Minutes passed, stretching into hours.  There, in the deepest darkness, He had ever known, Jonah composed his thoughts and prayed to Jehovah God.   His prayer recorded fully in the second chapter of Jonah, is revealing.  It shows that Jonah had extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, for it often referred to the Psalms.  It also show a heartwarming quality; gratitude.  Jonah concluded: "As for me, with the voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will pay.  Salvation belongs to Jehovah." - JONAH 2:9. 

There, in the unlikeliest places-the "inward parts of the fish" -Jonah learned that salvation is something that Jehovah can bring to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Even there.  Jehovah found and saved his troubled servant.  (Jonah 1:17)  Only Jehovah could keep a man alive and well for three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish.  It is good for us to remember today that Jehovah is "the God in whose name your breath is." (Daniel 5:23)  We own our every breath, our very existence, to him.  Are we grateful?  Yes, I am.  Do we not, then, owe Jehovah our obedience?

Next time: He Learned From His Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance - Conclusion 

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