Deliverance From Death

O. T. #2163 "Deliverance From Death"

April 4, 2022

Jonah 2

LET IT GLOW

How do we know there is a God? After all, no one has seen Him. If no one has ever seen God, then how can we ever know Him?

We can't be acquainted with God by sight, but by His Spirit, His love, and by love from others. (Barn's Notes)

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)

When we love others, then God dwelleth (to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy. Also, God's love is perfected (to complete, accomplish, make perfect) in us. John is speaking to the Christian believer. The greatest evidence of God's presence and work is love. God's love is made complete by our loving each other, brotherly love. This love in us is the proof that God is in us.

Previously, in his gospel, John said, No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. (John 1:18)

Jesus is both God and the Father's unique Son. In Christ, God revealed His nature and essence in a way that could be seen and touched. In Christ, God became a man who lived on earth. Jesus is the complete expression of God in human form, and He has revealed God to us. ( Life Application Study Bible)

Faith is perfected by its works; love is perfected by its operations. (M. Henry)

Are we showing the world and others that God is alive, real, and working? Are we showing them by loving them? Is this kindness evident in our life?  Our life is an open book, so what is the lost world reading?

LET IT GROW

We left Jonah in the belly of a whale. It could have been a blue whale that can become up to 219 tons and 79 feet long. Now that would not be the Hilton stay, I dare say. His stay was 3 days and 3 nights, with no amenities. The only thing we can deduct is Jonah was not digested, not suffocated, kept his senses, and had the frame of mind to pray and praise. 

This stay was because of his own doing. Jonah refused to go preach in Nineveh, a heathen city with cruel pagans living in sin. Isn't it ironic that Jonah was probably afraid for his life, yet look what happened to him. He could have drown in the sea or been eaten alive by a shark, this rebellious man who deserved death. But God... 

It was the providence of God that had the fish near the ship, mouth open, swallowed up Jonah, and retained him in its belly. What a mighty God we serve! How merciful and gracious He is!

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly. (2:1)

All right, friend, are you drowning is a sea of trouble? Do you have a loved one who is sinking in sin? Pray. God finally put His prophet in the place where he would seek His face and submit himself to Him. There was no way out for Jonah, except submit to the will of God in prayer.

Jonah's heart was humbled and softened, so he sincerely prayed. It was possible that God would deliver His prophet out of his dark and deep dilemma. Only God could do it. And God did just that.

What an example Jonah is for our loved ones who are running away from God. Keep praying for them, dear one. God can deliver people that are deep in sin, after all, He did Jonah. Such hope!

Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

 

LET IT GO

Help us throw off those things that hinder us from serving You, God.

Deliver us from our rebellion against Your will.

Give strength and faith to parents who have wayward children.

Father, Your will, Your way, today, I pray.