Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
Feb. 16, 2025
Jonah 2:1-10
1 Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish: 2 “I called out to the LORD in my distress, and he answered me. From the belly of the underworld, I cried out for help; you have heard my voice. 3 You had cast me into the depths in the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounds me. All your strong waves and rushing water passed over me. 4 So I said, ‘I have been driven away from your sight. Will I ever again look on your holy temple? 5 Waters have grasped me to the point of death; the deep surrounds me. Seaweed is wrapped around my head 6 at the base of the undersea mountains. I have sunk down to the underworld; its bars held me with no end in sight. But you brought me out of the pit.’ 7 When my endurance was weakening, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple. 8 Those deceived by worthless things lose their chance for mercy. 9 But me, I will offer a sacrifice to you with a voice of thanks. That which I have promised, I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the LORD!” 10 Then the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto the dry land.
Good Morning. This is the day the Lord has made!
Humble yourself and be saved! God called Jonah to go to Ninevah, but Jonah chose to ignore or run from the calling. Jonah didn’t like the people of Ninevah and felt they deserved the wrath of God’s judgment. Whereas God saw people, who had been blinded by earthly ambition.
Jonah turned away from God and ended up in the belly of a whale. During his three days of “captivity,” Jonah had time to consider God’s calling. As his stone heart softened, Jonah realized that God, not he, was the one to administer judgment.
When we humbled himself and proclaimed God his Lord, Jonah was released from his prison in the whale. Jonah went on to complete God’s calling, and by delivering the prophecy, the Ninevites were saved.
From Jonah, we learn that God is merciful, all-knowing, and in control. God’s mercy is for all people, not just those who are like us. God’s love can change people. God forgives and redeems those who repent. Finally, God’s will cannot be rushed or outrun.
Humble yourself, repent, and be saved!
Loving Lord, Maker of all things! You love us! Even when we run from you, you wait for us and give us your love and mercy when we are ready. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is waiting to receive us when we are ready to be accepted.
Listen and Follow God’s will! Pastor Liz
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