Jonah Part 2

The reading this week is Jonah 1:17 - 2:10

According to the Bible, Jonah lived inside the belly of a fish for 3 days and 3 nights. There have been many arguments as to whether this story is real or a parable. I believe that God can create a fish big enough to swallow a man whole and also keep him alive inside the fish for 3 days.

Whether you believe the story or not doesn't matter because this isn't the real story. What happened inside Jonah is what matters. The most powerful prayer that Jonah ever prayed was most likely prayed in the belly of the fish.

Some points to remember:-

God answers us while we are still in sin.
God loves us even when we rebel.
Even when God is displeased with us He doesn't dessert us.
God rescues us in stages. Jonah needed time to contemplate before he was ready to obey God.
God answers us to gain our attention.

Eventually, Jonah came around, gave thanks to God and was saved.

We need to pray because God loves us.

As a side note, while Sue was helping with Sunday School, I attended the prayer meeting and during one of the prayers one of the people prayed about those that ask "why does God allow bad things to happen" and a thought came into my head. God allows bad things to happen because, for some of us, that's the only time we think about Him. Most of us never think to thank Him for all the good things He gives us but are quick to blame Him for the bad that comes our way.

Richard.