Sermon – Jonah 3 – A Fish & A Prayer

When we last left Jonah, he was thrown off a boat, the storm stopped, and those on the boat were in awe, offered a sacrifice to God and vowed to serve Him.
This is not how Jonah thought his trip was going to go. He paid for passage across the Mediterranean and was enjoying a nice nap when his plans were thrown into chaos. Jonah may have thought he was going to die in the sea, but the LORD God had other plans.
Jonah 1:17 (NLT) … Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
Various English translations say God arranged, prepared, appointed, provided, sent, caused, assigned, or designated the (great / big / large / huge) fish to swallow Jonah.
Its pointless to try to determine what kind of fish it was that swallowed Jonah. Too many try to discredit this story by finding a fish that is large enough to swallow a man and where the man could stay alive for up to 3 days.
Why do some accept that God could cause a storm to whip up and end suddenly; but not create a fish – be it an entire species or just a one-time fish large enough for the job – to be in the right place at the right time.
Could you imagine being inside a fish for that amount of time? The smell. The feel. The cramped space perhaps. The utter darkness. Not knowing if you would get out of it – and if you get out would you make it back to the surface or to a shore?
How does Jonah react to his situation? Does he just give up further? Does he resign himself to dying inside a fish? Does he come to his senses, at least a little bit?
From inside the fish, Jonah prays.
Jonah 2:1-10 (NLT) … Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish. (2) He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and He answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me! (3) You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. (4) Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ (5) I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. (6) I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! (7) As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. (8) Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. (9) But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” (10) Then the LORD ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.
From the beginning, prayer should have been what Jonah was all about. If he had doubts or even his disagreement, then he should have prayed for guidance or clarification; what exactly to say, if there was anyone he was to talk specifically to or just the town in general. Instead of running away from God and what He wanted, he should have run to God for assistance in this matter.
But isn’t that like lots of people today, or lots of people throughout history, or perhaps, even some of us. Instead of going to God each and every day; or before a crisis, we only run to Him when we are stressed or facing uncertainty.
Prayer is significant and important when people are desperate – in trouble – thinking they have nowhere else to go.
I would say being in the sea – the bottom of it – and being swallowed by a fish – would make anyone desperate; and it’s there, in the belly of this fish that Jonah prays a desperate prayer.
Going through any stressful situation – whether it is our fault or not – is not a good or enjoyable place to live; but it is a good place to pray.
Sadly, it takes a horrible situation – an illness – a death – starvation – financial woes – war – to get people to seek God. Too many are content with doing things their way and heading in the direction they want to go; until the waves get rough and they are tossed about. Many don’t want God until He is their only resort.
Think back to last week. Jonah admitted he was the reason the crew was experiencing the storm; and putting the ship and their lives at risk. Can we change anything about our lives, unless we acknowledge the need to change?
Until a person admits they are sinners and need a Savior, they won’t repent. The devil does his best to convince people that sin isn’t real, or that a person is born a certain way so they get a pass, or that the Bible is old and outdated, or since others sin to its OK for them to as well, or that they are still a good person and being good enough will still get you to Heaven.
If things aren’t going right in your life, then you do have to check inside and make sure the reason isn’t yourself. Remember, you can’t hide anything from God; so you might as well start making things right now … reconcile with Him and others while you can.
Too many aren’t sorry for the sins they have committed but are only sorry they got caught. True godly sorrow brings repentance and salvation – but worldly sorrow brings death. It isn’t easy to admit we are wrong or need to repent … or even need to work on ourselves and be more patient or understanding or mindful of the feelings of others or how our actions and words affect them.
In the belly of a fish, Jonah wised up and sought out the LORD.
So, whatever you are going through – you can and should seek out God.
Let’s breakdown Jonah’s prayer and see how we can and should pray like him.
1 … Jonah cries for help … If God doesn’t save him from the belly of this fish, then he is doomed.
How many of us are there or have been there? If God doesn’t help us – doesn’t save us – we are doomed. It’s that way with our souls too. God is it … our only source of help.
2 … Jonah admits he knows why he is in the fish … He doesn’t blame anyone else but recognizes that his own deeds got him there.
Have you or do you recognize the error of your ways? Stop running and stop blaming others.
3 … Jonah knows there is no way out unless the LORD rescues him – He is His only hope.
- God’s power put Jonah there and it’s the only way out too. It should have never gone that far … the running away … the disobedience … the denial … seeing pagans know and act better … Jonah finally acts like a believer … God has his attention
Do you or have you realized that the LORD is your only hope for salvation? Works won’t get you saved. Being a “good person” won’t get you saved. Just coming to church or even contributing won’t get you saved. Only the LORD can save.
4 … Jonah promises to serve the LORD … There is progress here … Jonah acknowledges where he is and how he got there … he accepts God’s discipline and knows he’ll die without God’s help … he remembers the LORD … then he vows to serve Him. He knows it is useless to fight against God.
Have you made this realization? It is useless and fruitless to fight against God. You won’t win, in this life or the next. He has a plan for you, but you have to stop being the center of things.
Even though Jonah was a prophet, it may have been some time since he had a good heart to heart with the Lord. We shouldn’t be that way … just because we are Christians, or teachers, or preachers doesn’t make us exempt from talking to God each day. Don’t wait until you are faced with a major stressor or crisis before seeking Him out.
It’s great when people turn back to God; but it is best when people don’t run away from Him.
He did and still does prefer obedience over sacrifice.
God stopped Jonah to get his attention. Jonah made up his mind to run away – to do things his way; and how many are like that today? So busy and focused on anything besides God that what they are doing drowns him out … its our own fault if we don’t hear or listen to God.
All throughout Scripture God delivered people from what seemed like impossible situations and this one is no different. The only way out was by God’s hand … and a fish puking Jonah up.
God may very well save you from whatever you are going through; but from your view it might not seem easy or pleasant. Remember, God is the only source of salvation – admit you need Him – admit you’ve done wrong – accept His discipline – vow to serve Him … and when you come through the other side, give Him the credit and follow up on your vow … next week, we’ll see if Jonah did.