9th October 2024
The prayer of Jonah
This is the 28th in a series of studies on the subject of prayer
‘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.” ’
Jonah 2:7-9 (NIVUK)
The prospect of death concentrates the mind. Things that seem so important, yet are only transitory, fade away. The pretences and facades fall off the perfect image we like to present. Suddenly, everything becomes clearer, and what really matters takes priority.
In our header scripture, Jonah saw his life slipping away and he remembered some key things:
He recalled that God is in his holy temple, we might say God is on his throne. He remembered that God is sovereign, he rules, and he reigns from his temple; he is in charge, and nothing is beyond his control – not even death.
Jonah remembered afresh that chasing after physical and material things is like clinging to worthless idols that will never satisfy. All the things we so often chase after, such as fame, wealth, possessions, and status will eventually prove empty. Trusting in such things turns us away from the only thing that will truly satisfy us – God’s love, supremely shown to us in Jesus Christ, and which we experience through the Holy Spirit.
In coming to his senses Jonah renewed his commitment to God and turned to God in worship, giving up or sacrificing his own desires and rebellion. He turned (repented) to offer God a sacrifice of praise and committed to fulfilling the mission God had given him to do.
Finally, he acknowledged that salvation comes from the Lord: it is not to be found anywhere else, whether it be false idols or our own good works. Salvation is found in the Lord Jesus Christ and none other.
We can join Jonah in recognising the sovereignty of God, and the futility of trusting in material things, and instead bask in the love of God. We can also follow Jonah’s example of worshipping God, living sacrificially, and doing the work God has for us. And we can trust in the Lord Jesus for full and free salvation.
Jonah prayed this prayer when his life was ebbing away. However, we don’t need to wait until we are confronted with death to pray for these things. We can see clearly what should take priority in our lives, and pray the prayer of Jonah right now.
Prayer
Loving Father, may we remember you all the days of our lives, and may we remember the words of Jonah when we consider what is truly important in life. In Jesus’s name,
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Study by: Barry Robinson About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church