Julie and Liz kayaked off the coast of California, scouting for humpback whales. Humpbacks are known for being active near the surface, making them easy to spot. The two women got the surprise of their lives when one surfaced directly underneath them. An onlooker caught footage of their encounter that showed the large mouth of the whale dwarfing the women and their kayaks. After briefly going underwater, the women escaped unharmed.
Their experience offers perspective on the biblical account of the prophet Jonah being swallowed by a “huge fish” (Jonah 1:17). God had instructed him to preach to the Ninevites, but because they’d rejected God, Jonah didn’t feel they were worthy of His forgiveness. Instead of obeying, he ran away and took passage on a ship. God sent a dangerous storm, and he was thrown overboard.
God provided a way to preserve Jonah from certain death on the high seas, sparing him the far-worse consequences of his actions. Jonah “called to the Lord” and God listened (2:2). After Jonah admitted his wrongdoing and expressed his praise and acknowledgment of God’s goodness, he was—at His command—expelled from the fish “onto dry land” (v. 10).
By God’s grace, when we acknowledge our sin and express faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re spared the spiritual death we deserve and experience new life through Him.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you run away from God? How have you experienced new life through Jesus?
Dear God, I acknowledge my sin and thank You for providing for me a new life through Jesus.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God’s pursuit of Jonah is remarkable because at first, everything and everyone obeyed God except the prophet Jonah! In chapter 1, the wind (v. 4), the tempest (v. 15), and the pagan sailors (vv. 12-15) obey God, as does the great fish (v. 17). In chapter 2, the fish still obeys (v. 10), and in chapter 3, the pagan population of Nineveh obey God in repentant faith (v. 5). In chapter 4, the wind and the worm obey Him (vv. 7-8 ). God pursued Jonah every step of the way, and when the second call came, the prophet himself finally obeyed (3:1-3).
Bill Crowder
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