Intro: Think about this as we look at chapter 2 of Jonah. What did Jonah deserve? He deserved to be a man taco for a big fish. What did he get? God’s mercy. Jonah had already received God’s grace. God did not completely destroy Jonah or the Ship in the violent storm. God as a holy God brings a storm of correction to Jonah’s life. Notice that God never left or abandoned Jonah. In that Jonah is experiencing God’s mercy. Why did God use the fish to rescue Jonah? God wanted Jonah to turn back toward Him. When Jonah took his first step of disobedience he took his first step toward correction. God didn’t want to destroy Jonah he wanted to redirect him. God doesn’t want to destroy anyone. He wants us through the tragedies, trial, and even triumphs of our lives to turn toward Him.
I. Jonah’s prayer in a time of trouble (Jonah 1:2 “I called to the Lord in my distress
Why was Jonah in the belly of a big fish? A decision! A decision to disobey God. Remember from last week that our decisions have consequences not only for us but also for everyone around us. Jonah finally stopped ignoring God. In his misery from the pit of hell he cried out to the Lord Why do we have to be in trouble before we acknowledge God? Why do we allow ourselves to get in a financial bind before we call to God how to spend our money? Why do we wait until our marriages are in distress before we ask God to be involved?
We mistakenly think that when things turn stormy or stinking (as in the fish) that God has abandoned us. No! Often he is trying to say, Hey I’m here!! Turn around. We ignore His call because we aren’t familiar enough with His voice!
Why did God according to 1:4 bring the violent storm on Jonah and the ship? 1.17 said that God appointed the big fish to swallow Jonah. Why? Sometimes it takes terrible affliction to drive us to God.
What often seems to devour us is actually designed to develop us.
With Job the affliction was to reveal Jobs self-righteousness, with Jonah it was to move him from rebellion to repentance. (What is repentance)
A) Acknowledging God
2.2 “I called to you.” 2.4 “I will look to you once more.” Repentance begins by acknowledging God and turning toward Him. When we do like Jonah and head away from God’s direction we are ignoring God. God gives direction in His word for every area in our life. Are you ignoring God in any area? Prayer is not only powerful it is precious. It is a gift of God’s grace that we can call on Him wherever, whatever.
B) Agreeing with God
1) Salvation – Turning toward God and trusting that Jesus finished it all at the cross
2) Confession – Romans 10:9-10 “Believe God raised Jesus from the dead and Confess Jesus as Lord.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
What is God’s goal in our confession? Forgiveness. He wants us to trust His faithfulness and forgiveness.
Revival begins with prayer but it must not stop there. God’s people talking to Him has always been the beginning of great moves of God. When we learn to talk to God it means that we trust Him. When we learn that God alone can change lives we will mark out times in our lives to talk to him.. Prayer is the key that unlocks repentance and revival.
2 Chronicles 7:14 Humble, right attitude, pray right communication, repent right action, seek my face right passion. Things get right when God catches us!
II. Jonah’s practice from rebellion to obedience
Jonah 2:9 “I will pay what I have vowed.”
If your prayer doesn’t affect your practice then your prayer is powerless.
Gipsy Smith, The Bible Friend
When I was in South Africa, a fine, handsome Dutchman came into my service, and God laid His hand on him and convicted him of sin.
The next morning he went to the beautiful home of another Dutchman and said to him, "Do you recognize that old watch?"
"Why, yes," answered the other. "Those are my initials; that is my watch. I lost it eight years ago. How did you get it, and how long have you had it?"
"I stole it," was the reply.
"What made you bring it back now?"
"I was converted last night," was the answer, "and I have brought it back first thing this morning. If you had been up, I would have brought it last night."
What do we learn of God from Jonah’s repentance?
1) God wants to deliver us from spiritual sin and trouble
2) God wants to deliver us from emotional and mental sin and trouble
3) God wants to deliver us from physical sin and trouble
Repentance – turning from a life controlled by our designs and desires to God’s direction is the beginning of this deliverance.
Repentance is not a one-time exercise. In talking to the hypocritical Pharisees Jesus says in Matthew 3:8 “Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance.”
God’s word translation, “Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.”
Repentance is not changing you lifestyle, habits etc. Repentance is turning toward God and by faith accepting the finished work of Jesus Christ and confessing Him as Lord. The fruit of repentance is a change in your lifestyle, habits, hobbies etc.
Evan Roberts
1. Confess all known sin
2. Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life
3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly
4. Confess Christ publicly
Conclusion: What is your big fish? What has God provided for your life in order to change your direction? If we head toward God there is deliverance. If we head away from God there is distress and destruction.
