Introduction

Good morning, family! I'm so glad to see all of you here today, ready to dive into the word of God.

A.W. Tozer said, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." Isn't that just something? In our fast-paced world, it's so easy to forget that God's timing is always perfect. Even when we're in the belly of the whale, so to speak, God is there, and He's working in His own time.

Recognizing the Ultimate Gift

In the belly of the whale, Jonah found himself in a dire situation. His life was literally in the balance. Yet, in the midst of this, he was able to see the ultimate gift that God had given him. This gift wasn't something tangible. It wasn't something he could hold in his hands. It was something far more precious. It was the gift of God's presence, His mercy, and His salvation.

Jonah was in the depths of the sea, swallowed by a giant fish. He was as far from dry land and safety as he could possibly be. Yet, he wasn't alone. God was with him. Even in the belly of the beast, God was there. He heard Jonah's cries for help and He answered. This is the first aspect of the ultimate gift - God's presence. No matter where we find ourselves, no matter how dire our circumstances, God is with us. He hears our prayers and He answers. We are never alone.

The second aspect of the ultimate gift is God's mercy. Jonah had disobeyed God. He had tried to run away from God's command. Yet, when he found himself in trouble, God didn't abandon him. He didn't say, "You made your bed, now lie in it." No, He showed Jonah mercy. He heard his prayer and He saved him. This is a gift that we all have received. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of God's glory. Yet, God, in His mercy, forgives us. He saves us from our sins and gives us a second chance. This is a gift beyond measure.

The third aspect of the ultimate gift is God's salvation. Jonah was in a hopeless situation. He was swallowed by a fish, in the middle of the sea, with no hope of rescue. Yet, God saved him. He commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. This is a powerful reminder of God's power to save. No matter how hopeless our situation may seem, God can save us. He can bring us out of the depths and set us on solid ground. This is the ultimate gift - the gift of salvation.

Finally, we see that the ultimate gift requires a response from us. Jonah, in his distress, called out to God. He recognized his need for God. He acknowledged his sin and he repented. And God heard his prayer and saved him.

Lessons from Jonah's Gratitude

Jonah's gratitude, as expressed in his prayer, is a remarkable aspect of this passage ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO