A storm, a great fish, some sackcloth, and a hungry worm: The story of Jonah (Part 2)

For the month of August we are looking at the book of Jonah. Today we will study Jonah 2.

from fcnewburgh.com

Read: Jonah 2

Last we left Jonah, he survived the storm but is now trapped inside a smelly fish belly. As much as he would rather have died than obey God, God had other plans.

from mdchurch.us

Chapter 2 is the prayer that Jonah prayed when he realized he couldn’t ditch God. It’s not a perfect prayer. (Once you know the whole story of Jonah, you’ll see why.) But God doesn’t mind our imperfect prayers. In fact, He asks for them.

Jonah starts by summarizing his day. “There was a pretty big storm. I’m guessing that was from You, God. I ended up drowning. That sucked pretty bad. I thought for sure You were sending me away forever. But now I realize You were actually saving me. Thank you, I guess.”

Philip Yancey in his book, Prayer, talks about how prayer is really just keeping company with God. We keep company with God by talking with Him. We share with Him all of ourselves – our hopes, our dreams, our thanks, our requests, our complaints, everything. Then in turn, we find out more of who He is and what His plans are for us and for those around us.

Jonah’s prayer reveals everything about his day and shows what he’s learning about God. The prayer concludes with the great fish vomiting Jonah onto dry land. For most people, being fish vomit might be a low. But for Jonah, it’s a second chance to learn God’s will. And not only to learn God’s will, but to learn more about the very heart of God.

Third lesson of Jonah: Keep company with God.

Fourth lesson of Jonah: He promises to hear you…and you may even learn a few things along the way.

Dear God, I seem to pray best when I am at my lowest. Help me keep company with you every day, not just when things are rough. Teach me Your ways and Your heart, oh God of my salvation. Amen.

Further readings: Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 145:18-19

 

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a heart after You: week 5 (final week)

Reading for today: Psalm 139

David was a man after God’s own heart. For the last few weeks, we have been looking at the stories of David to figure out what it means to have a heart after God.

It doesn’t mean that we are better than the average guy. It doesn’t mean that we have it all figured out. It doesn’t mean that we’ll always do the right thing. And if we screw up, it definitely doesn’t mean that we’ve lost our chance.

You see, having a heart after God’s own heart is simply seeking Him above all else. And when you seek God, He will be found and He will change your heart.

So that when you are facing giants, you hold onto Him. When you are in the middle of an I-don’t-know-what-to-do situation, you beg Him for guidance. When you are in the wrong, you listen to Him and you adjust back to His will. When you recognize His blessings, you dance for joy.

And if you break His heart by turning completely away from His will, His Spirit will allow your heart to break as well. He will humble you, and you will ask for forgiveness, which He will graciously give. And then you will understand what is at the heart of God – His mercy, His forgiveness, and His unbelievable love.

Dear God, Please give me a heart like yours. Teach me Your mercy, Your forgiveness and Your amazing love. Amen.

This week begins the season of Lent, what better way to learn of God’s heart than to study and meditate on the mercy, forgiveness, and love that God showed through His Son, Jesus.

This week, as we prepare, we will read through some of the Psalms of David.

Day 2 – Psalm 25:4-10

Day 3 – Psalm 37:3-6; 23-24

Day 4 – Psalm 86:1-12

Day 5 – Psalm 103:1-13

 

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a heart after You: week 3

Reading for today: Psalm 86:11-13

 

Abigail kneels before David by James Tissot

Hot-headed David grabbed his sword and called his 400 men to do the same. Without consulting God, David planned to bring down judgment on his worthless neighbor, Nabal. In the eyes of the world, he had every right to teach Nabal a lesson, but it was not the right that God had given him.

Thank God for Nabal’s discerning wife, Abigail. Her quick-headed thinking not only stopped David and his army from decimating her entire household, but she also saved David from bloodguilt.

Sometimes we stand at the intersection of God’s desires and our own. If we are so blessed to have someone intervene on our behalf, pay attention. Stop what you are doing, and thank God for his unsolicited guidance.

*Hint: As you chase after God’s heart, know that He is already chasing after yours.

Dear God, Thank you for putting people in my life who show me Your heart. Amen.

This week, let’s read David and Abigail’s full story.

Day 2 – I Samuel 25:1-13

Day 3 – I Samuel 25:14-31

Day 4 – I Samuel 25:32-42

Day 5 – Psalm 15

 

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a heart after You: week 2

Reading for today: Psalm 32:8

“And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him.” ~I Samuel 18:14

These past few months, I have been considering a career move. The thought of it has kept me up at nights, it has woken me up early in the mornings, and it has turned my stomach for days. Basically, I don’t know what to do.

This week’s passages about David speak directly to those “I-don’t-know-what-to-do” moments. When David was unsure of what move to make, he inquired after God. And after each prayer for guidance, God guided.

God’s guidance is varied and never promises to be the same each time, but it is always available to the one who asks.

The first lesson on having a heart like God’s own heart is quite simple: Seek God. In every situation, ask for His wisdom, seek His counsel, and pray for His guidance.

*Hint: Seeking God’s help doesn’t mean that you will know how it ends. But God knows how it will end, and He promises to get you there.

Dear God, I want to have a heart like yours. Guide me in ___________________. Give me your counsel and wisdom. Lead me in the path marked out for me. Amen.

David’s prayers for guidance to God:

Day 2 – 1 Samuel 22:3-5; 23:1-5

Day 3 – 1 Samuel 23:9-14

Day 4 – 1 Samuel 30:7-19

Day 5 – 2 Samuel 2:1-7

 

 

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a heart after You: week 1

Reading for today: 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:21-23

“For the Lord sees not as the man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” ~I Samuel 16:7b

I am a bit of a rule follower. I am often hard on myself and my family. I get angry. I dabble in perfectionism. I’m sensitive. I bite my nails when I think too hard. And while I’m confessing, I might as well add mild anxiety to my list of flaws.

So how in the world, could I ever hope to have a heart like God’s?

One person in the Bible is described as “a man after God’s own heart.”

David.

David had a humble upbringing. He had a short temper and was an outlaw for years, running with his society’s unsavories. He was both a mighty warrior and a poetic musician. He was cunning but impulsive, a shrewd leader, an adulterer, and a murderer. He became king but made some monumental mistakes. And yet, despite all his flaws, God looked in his heart and saw something like His own.

For the next few weeks, we are going to study David’s life and writings to see what it means to have a heart like God’s.

*Hint: Having a heart like God’s doesn’t require being perfect.

Dear God, I want to have a heart like yours. Amen.

Let’s start by getting to know the beginning of David’s story:

Day 2 – 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (King Saul’s downfall)

Day 3 – 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (David’s anointing)

Day 4 – 1 Samuel 16:14-23 (David’s early relationship with King Saul)

Day 5 – 1 Samuel 17:19-50 (David and Goliath)

 

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