We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Travis Pate.
Bible Reading:
“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. ‘Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.”‘ And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” Jonah 2:7-10
Word:
As we wind down the topic of being grateful, we turn to a familiar story to many of us. Jonah was called on by the Lord to go and preach to the people of Nineveh. We are told that their wickedness had come to God’s attention. Evidently, it had come to Jonah’s attention too because instead of going to preach to the people he ran in the other direction.
As we know Jonah ends up on a boat in a storm that God brings on due to his disobedience. Jonah takes responsibility for the storm and is thrown overboard in order to save the ship. Jonah is then swallowed by a big fish/whale and ends up spending three days in its belly.
I’ve never spent three days in the belly of a big fish but I have been in a place where I was crying out to God for help. I think many of us can relate. There is, however, one element of Jonah’s cry that is important. That is gratefulness. Jonah remembered the things that God had done and His faithfulness towards him.
Throughout the Old Testament there is a familiar rhythm that we see play out. The people of God are disobedient, they cry out to God, and God is faithful to pull them through. In Deuteronomy, God tells them to “remember” these things.
God is always faithful when we turn our hearts to Him. By remembering the things he has done for us and being grateful for them, it sets our mind on a trajectory that can help pull us out of our troubles. God sent his Son to save the world, not condemn it. He wants to help us and He is for us and not against us. Let us be grateful for the love he has for us.
Prayer:
Skillwork:
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