Let’s return to Jonah …
On a ship, out at sea, in the middle of a storm. When the other sailors discover it is because of him the calamity has come upon them, they toss him overboard at Jonah’s request.
Jonah describes his situation and emotions with words like encompassed. Engulfed. Wrapped around. Bars.
Here we find Jonah totally engulfed. no escape from the fish or the seas, and he remembers God.
And in remembering, his prayer went up to God.
“God used the storm to bring about transformation in the sailors, and now that same transformation is taking place in Jonah.”
(from Mercy in the Storm: A Study on the Book of Jonah by The Daily Grace Co., page 75)
Storms can be multi-purposed. They can bring about change in more than one life, in more than one situation. No storm is ever wasted.
God calls us to remember who He is and what He has done in our lives in the past. God is our redeemer, restorer, healer, Savior.
After praying and repenting, we find God recomissioning Jonah. He is sending him out a second time to the people of Nineveh (see Jonah 3:1).
Jonah has been changed by his experience but God remains the same. His plan has not changed either.
This time Jonah obeys God.
We are not left the same once we experience God’s grace and mercy.
As I sat looking at that last sentence, I realized how grateful I am for the privilege to be changed by God’s grace and mercy.
Much like Jonah, change often comes through storms and challenges, but they are for the purpose of changing us, bringing us closer to God, and to obedience.
His plan for each of our lives isn’t thwarted, but picks up again and continues. It will not be thwarted or overcome by our sin and choices.
The work God was doing in Jonah’s heart was not stopped by Jonah’s wrong choices.
God’s purposes prevail.
God fulfills His purposes in our lives.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
We all need hope and a constant reminder to hold onto hope. Barbara Harper brings much encouragement in her post, This I Call to Mind HERE. “In the midst of an utter wreck of his life and country, the writer remembers God’s mercy and faithfulness.” I am so grateful for God’s mercy and faithfulness in my life. These Old Testament prophets have much to teach us.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo 1: Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay
Photo 2: Image by Roberto Barresi from Pixabay
There’s so much to be encouraged by in this post. Thank you! You used the word “remember” a few times, reminding me that it’s usually not what I don’t know that gets me in trouble but what I fail to remember. My daughter-in-law has a friend who says “Christians should be in the business of reminding.” You take that business seriously. Thank you for your faithfulness in that.
Natalie, thank you for encouraging me this morning. I take reminding myself most seriously as I need constant reminders to remember the grace, mercy, and faithfulness of God in my life. In remembering, I don’t lose hope for the days ahead. I love what you shared: “Christians should be in the business of reminding.”
Thank You, Lord, for redeeming the storms, the near disasters, the tragedies that could have pull us under …
Yes!
The phrase that stood out to me here was “No storm is ever wasted.” God has a purpose in each. May we let them humble us and turn our hearts to Him.
It is amazing how we often do not see the purpose in the moment. But in hindsight, how differently they can appear. Every storm has purpose in changing us and drawing us closer to Him.
Can’t even begin to imagine where I’d be if God didn’t allow do-overs!
Thanks for this encouraging look at a redeemed life.
So true, Michele.
What hope, Jesus will complete what He began in me! Thanks, Joanne.
❤️
Whenever I hear Jonah’s name, I think of Keith Green’s song about Jonah coming to his senses in the sea creature’s belly and being spit out upon the shore with seaweed in his hair. Joanne, I’m thankful God is a God of grace and mercy.
Yes (!), I thought of the song so many times over the last few weeks as I have been studying Jonah. I love Keith Green still!
Joanne, thank you for the reframe that no storm is ever wasted. How easily we forget that.
After reading your words that share God’s truth, I was filled with hope. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and His beautiful plan to redeem our world.