Jonah's Prayer of Repentance
Series: Prayers from the Bible
October 02, 2022
Frank Foreman
One of those simple books of the Bible that can be read in its entirety rather quickly is the book of Jonah. While there are many wonderful lessons that can be found in the book, the story arc of Jonah is pretty straightforward. In fact, the story of Jonah has, for many years, inspired a simple outline of the book. It is, in some form or fashion: Jonah running from God, Jonah running to God, Jonah running with God, and Jonah running against God. ---------- In the second chapter, Jonah offers a prayer of repentance. He realizes that he has sinned in not following God's instructions and, realizing that acknowledgement of his sin alone is not enough, prays a penitent prayer in humility. It is that prayer that Frank will focus on and invite us to find application through this Sunday.
Episode Notes
Big Idea: Choose each day to have a humble and submissive heart….
That is the only way to submit our will to the will of the Father.
Jonah 2:1-10, Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying.“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and He answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me.
Then I said, ‘I am driven away from Your sight; yet I shall again look upon Your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet You brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple.
Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”
And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
1. Jonah understands God is a God who is near.
Jonah 2:1-2, Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying.“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and He answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.
James 4:8a, Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
2. Jonah remembers that God is a God who restores.
Jonah 2:7, When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple.
Revelation 21:5a, And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
3. Jonah knows God is a God of hope.
Jonah 2:8, Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
Romans 8:25, But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Next Step: Without complaining, questioning, or challenging God’s wisdom….
Bend the knee to God’s perfect will.
1st Peter 5:6-7, Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
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