FACT OR FISH TALE?

© 1997 by Jerry L. Croasmun

READ -- Jonah 2:1-10

"From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God." -- Jonah 2:1 (NIV)

Do you take the Jonah-and-the-Whale story literally? Or do you consider it to be just another big fish story? Chances are, most people will not be swallowed by a whale. But is the whale swallowing Jonah the only thing God showed us in this story? Let us now take a closer look at Jonah and his whale.

I believe there is a little bit of Jonah in all of us. Have you ever felt far away from God, and felt that He did not hear your prayers? God does hear every single one of our prayers. He does not care when or where we pray. Jonah cried out to God from the belly of the fish and the Lord heard him as clearly as if Jonah had been inside the temple. Is God trying to tell you something, but you choose to ignore Him? Are you trying to run away from God, like Jonah tried? See Jonah 1:10.

God is still a gracious and compassionate God even when we try to hide or run from Him. He is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and He is concerned about you. See Jonah 4:2. God showed His compassion by saving the people of Ninevah. These people were saved because they turned from their wicked ways as a result of Jonah doing as God had instructed him to. See Jonah 3:3. God used Jonah to minister to the people and today He still uses people to reach the lost for Him. Salvation comes from the Lord, but are we doing our parts? See Jonah 2:9.

Jonah also got upset with God for saving the people of Ninevah. Do we ever get upset with God because He does not react in the way we think He should? Are you pouting at God? Remember, God answers prayers even from inside the belly of a fish. He cares about us even when we stop caring. I, for one, choose to believe the story in Jonah is more than just another fish tale. How about you?

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