READ: Jonah 2 (Focus vs. 1-2; 7-10 & 3:1-5)
MEMORY VERSE
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” Jonah 2:1
BACKGROUND
During Sunday school, my patience with three-year-old Peter was wearing thin. He was unhappy, unkind to the other kids, and absolutely refused to be content, even when we offered him the most coveted toys.
My pity turned to annoyance. If he stubbornly persisted in being difficult, then fine, I’d send him back to his parents and he would miss out on all the fun.
Too often I find my compassion has conditions. If someone ignores my advice or refuses my help, then they don’t deserve it anymore. Fortunately, God doesn’t act that way toward us.
The prophet Jonah experienced His great mercy after a time of stubborn disobedience when God commanded him to travel and preach to Nineveh (Jonah 1:2).
Defiantly choosing the opposite direction, Jonah was caught in a terrible storm, set adrift at sea, and then swallowed by a great fish—a self-made disaster (vv. 4, 15-17).
When Jonah finally “prayed to the Lord his God” (2:1), God was still listening to him, ready to forgive His reluctant prophet. Jonah was delivered from the fish and graciously given a second chance to go to Nineveh (3:1).
In little Peter’s case, a trip to the playground consoled him—a brilliant idea by a helper with more patience than I had shown. How beautiful is mercy that continually seeks us out, even in the middle of our own mess.
Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
The prophet Jonah behaves the opposite of how we’d expect a prophet to act. He runs away from God’s call (Jonah 1:3) and resents and sulks at God’s mercy (4:2-3).
Even Jonah’s prayer to God from a fish’s belly reveals a lack of self-awareness. He criticizes gentiles who cling to their idols (2:8) while describing himself as offering God praise and sacrifices (v. 9).
Yet in the previous chapter, gentile seamen swiftly repented and offered God sacrifices (1:14-16), but it took Jonah longer to turn to God! Through highlighting Jonah’s flaws, the book emphasizes both the danger of spiritual pride and the wideness of God’s mercy.
God hears and responds to anyone who sincerely cries out to Him, whether that’s someone others see as a pagan or a self-righteous, rebellious prophet.
Monica La Rose
APPLICATION
Why do you sometimes struggle to offer mercy to others? When have you seen God’s love seek out even the most difficult recipients?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“How beautiful is mercy that continually seeks us out, even in the middle of our own mess.”
PR’s TAKE
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 esv
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me with such long-suffering love. Teach me, please, to do the same.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MERCY SAID NO” CeCe Winans
I was just a child, when I felt the Savior leading
I was drawn to what I could not understand
And for the cause of Christ,
I have spent my days believing
That what he’d have me be, is who I am
As I’ve come to see the weaker side of me
I realize his grace is what I’ll need
When sin demanded justice for my soul
Mercy said no
I’m not gonna let you go
I’m not gonna let you slip away
You don’t have to be afraid
Mercy said no
Sin will never take control
Life and death stood face to face
Darkness tried to steal my heart away
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no
For God so loved the world, that
He sent his son to save us
From the cross He built a bridge to set us free
Oh, but deep within our hearts,
There is still a war that rages
And makes a sacrifice so hard to see
As midnight fell upon the crucifixion day
The light of hope seemed oh so far away
As evil tried to stop redemption’s flow
Mercy said no
I’m not gonna let you go
I’m not gonna let you slip away
You don’t have to be afraid
Mercy said no
Sin will never take control
Life and death stood face to face
Darkness tried to steal my heart away
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no
And now when heaven looks at me
It’s through the blood of Jesus
Reminding me of one day long ago
(Whaoo, no, no, no)
Mercy said no
I’m not gonna let you go
I’m not gonna let you slip away
You don’t have to be afraid
Mercy said no
Sin will never take control
Life and death stood face to face
Darkness tried to steal my heart away
Thank You Jesus,
Mercy said no
Mercy
Mercy
Mercy
