Jonah’s Prayer

Jonah's experience has to some extent been the experience of all who have passed from death unto life, all who have been brought from the bondage of sin into the liberty of the sons of God. Notice these seven things in the experience of Jonah.

Disobedience "Jonah rose up to flee" (Jonah 1:3). He deliberately refused to obey what he knew to be the will of God. Who among us has not taken that step?

Conviction "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord" (Jonah 2:2). His soul is now encompassed with the horrors of Hell. Disobedience to God is the straight way into the abyss of despair.

Confession "Thou hadst cast me into the deep" (Jonah 2:3). A man is not in a state to be saved until he is prepared to acknowledge the justice of God in punishing sinners.

Contrition "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord" (Jonah 2:7). At the remembrance of God's goodness the heart is melted. If men would only remember the Lord Jesus Christ, how soon they would be delivered from the bitterness of their lives.

Prayer "Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly" (Jonah 2:1). Where there is true sorrow for sin it will burst out in prayer to God.

Deliverance "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). After Jonah confessed his sin and trusted God's salvation, the Lord caused the fish to put him back on dry land.

Thanksgiving "I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving" (Jonah 2:9). Thanksgiving becomes a reality when salvation is enjoyed.

—From Handfuls on Purpose