Introduction

Good morning, church family. Today, we're diving deep into the heart of the Book of Jonah. This isn't just a story about a man being swallowed by a big fish, although that's the part we tend to remember. No, Jonah's story is about so much more. It's about how God prepares us for suffering, for salvation, and to rely fully on Him. These lessons are just as relevant to us today as they were to Jonah thousands of years ago.

Let me share with you a quote from A.W. Tozer: "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply." It's a tough pill to swallow, isn't it? Yet, as we'll see in Jonah's story, sometimes our deepest hurts prepare us for God's greatest blessings.

God Prepares Us for Suffering

In the story of Jonah, we see a man who is running from God, only to find himself in the belly of a great fish. This is not a comfortable place to be, but it is a place of preparation. God uses this time of suffering to prepare Jonah for the mission that lies ahead. This is a powerful illustration of how God prepares us for suffering.

It’s a part of life: It's not something we like to think about, but it's a reality we all face at one time or another. The question is not if we will suffer, but when and how we will respond when it happens. In Jonah's case, his suffering was a direct result of his disobedience. He was running from God, and his disobedience led to a storm that threatened to sink the ship he was on.

Not a punishment: God didn't cause the storm to punish Jonah. He caused the storm to get Jonah's attention. He used the storm to bring Jonah to a place of repentance and surrender. And once Jonah was in that place, God was able to use him in a powerful way.

Often how God works in our lives: He allows suffering to bring us to a place of surrender. He uses it to strip away our self-reliance and our pride. He uses it to show us our need for Him. And once we're in that place of surrender, He can use us in ways we never thought possible.

Doesn't mean that suffering is easy: Far from it. Suffering is painful. It's hard. It's confusing. But it's also a tool that God uses to shape us and prepare us for what He has in store.

Rely on God in ways we never have before: We learn to trust Him, even when we don't understand what He's doing. We learn to lean into His presence, even when we feel like He's far away.

He's not far away at all: He's right there with us, in the midst of our suffering. He's there to comfort us, to guide us, to strengthen us. He's there to prepare us for what's ahead.

The beauty of suffering: It's not something we seek out, but it's something that God can use for our good and His glory. It's something that can prepare us for the mission He has for us.

Running is impossible: In the story of Jonah, we see a man who tried to run from God, only to find that God was with him every step of the way. He was with him in the storm. He was with him in the belly of the fish. And He was with him when he finally surrendered and said yes to God's call.

The God we serve: A God who is with us in the midst of our suffering. A God who uses our suffering to prepare us for what He has in store. A God who is always working for our good and His glory.

God Prepares Us for Salvation

God's preparation for salvation is a central theme in the Book of Jonah and indeed, throughout the Bible ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO