Good morning,
Praise to the Lord Almighty, the King of Creation. I am reflecting the psalm, that is the song and the prayer, of Jonah as it is recorded in Jonah 2:1. This verse in Jonah reveals Jonah's prayer. Some of us may prefer being in a nice, quiet place when we pray. Jonah was in a most secluded spot with no distractions and no diversions. Jonah knew his plight was his fault, yet when he “called to the Lord” (vs 1), God responded. Jonah’s brief psalm is an honest prayer. Jonah stated that he found himself in the “depths of Sheol”. Jonah next acknowledged the Providence of God, in verse 3: “You hurled me into the deep…all Your waves and breakers swept over me.” Jonah knew that it wasn’t chance, circumstance, luck, or blind fate that caused his dilemma and Jonah understood that his deliverance had been directed by the Hand of God, Who rules His creation.
James Montgomery Boice has reflected, “It is better to fall into the hands of God, even in correction, than to be apart from Him.” Jonah began to understand this as he had time to think in the belly of the fish. Though things couldn’t seem worse, Jonah exercised hope in verse 4: “…yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.” Faith dares to approach God, even though we know that we are sinful people, undeserving of mercy. Faith drives us to “look again”. There is life in such a look.
Jonah spoke of “worthless idols” in verse 8. “Worthless idols” could be translated, “vain, empty vanities”. People throw away any hope of salvation by creating substitutes for God. We may not think of ourselves as idolaters, yet in reality idolatry is any worthless endeavor we take on apart from trust in God. We may be bowing to the idols of ambition, greed, comfort, and pleasure. At this point Jonah mentioned “the grace that could be theirs”, admitting that the Gentiles were savable. Jonah re-enlisted in God’s service, renewing his commitment to his prophetic office in verse 9 with a song of thanks.
The prophet admitted, according to verse 9, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” The word “comes” could also be translated “belongs”. This is the theme of the entire Bible and the key verse of the book of Jonah. Salvation is a gift, and God is not obligated to limit His gift to those whom we think deserve it. Jonah’s attitude in chapter one was, “I’m not going to be a part of God saving the Ninevites.” God then miraculously saved Jonah from drowning, and he was brought to understand that God is sovereign in salvation.
It was as if God were saying to Jonah, “Salvation is Mine to give -- I give it to whomever I choose. I gave it to you. If I choose to save the Ninevites, that’s none of your business.” “Salvation is possible only because God makes it possible” (Boice). God chooses to reach out to people who are not reaching back. He accepts and entitles the undeserving. “God loves us not because of who we are and what we have done, but because of who He is” (Phillip Yancy).
Jonah returned to God, not as someone expecting special privileges, but as a rebel in need of forgiveness. In the depths of the sea he discarded his pride. The highest moment of our life is the moment when we kneel in the dust and turn to God, confessing our sins , our rebellion, and our pride.
James Montgomery Boice has reflected, “It is better to fall into the hands of God, even in correction, than to be apart from Him.” Jonah began to understand this as he had time to think in the belly of the fish. Though things couldn’t seem worse, Jonah exercised hope in verse 4: “…yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.” Faith dares to approach God, even though we know that we are sinful people, undeserving of mercy. Faith drives us to “look again”. There is life in such a look.
Jonah spoke of “worthless idols” in verse 8. “Worthless idols” could be translated, “vain, empty vanities”. People throw away any hope of salvation by creating substitutes for God. We may not think of ourselves as idolaters, yet in reality idolatry is any worthless endeavor we take on apart from trust in God. We may be bowing to the idols of ambition, greed, comfort, and pleasure. At this point Jonah mentioned “the grace that could be theirs”, admitting that the Gentiles were savable. Jonah re-enlisted in God’s service, renewing his commitment to his prophetic office in verse 9 with a song of thanks.
The prophet admitted, according to verse 9, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” The word “comes” could also be translated “belongs”. This is the theme of the entire Bible and the key verse of the book of Jonah. Salvation is a gift, and God is not obligated to limit His gift to those whom we think deserve it. Jonah’s attitude in chapter one was, “I’m not going to be a part of God saving the Ninevites.” God then miraculously saved Jonah from drowning, and he was brought to understand that God is sovereign in salvation.
It was as if God were saying to Jonah, “Salvation is Mine to give -- I give it to whomever I choose. I gave it to you. If I choose to save the Ninevites, that’s none of your business.” “Salvation is possible only because God makes it possible” (Boice). God chooses to reach out to people who are not reaching back. He accepts and entitles the undeserving. “God loves us not because of who we are and what we have done, but because of who He is” (Phillip Yancy).
Jonah returned to God, not as someone expecting special privileges, but as a rebel in need of forgiveness. In the depths of the sea he discarded his pride. The highest moment of our life is the moment when we kneel in the dust and turn to God, confessing our sins , our rebellion, and our pride.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church, Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering - Coffee - Fellowship
6:30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Brown Naik
On FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave., Endicott, at 5:30 PM - There will be a Special Banquet prepared by Joe Walker, including a variety of international Cuisine... It will be a great celebration. At 6:30 PM there will be a Hymn Sing with Aric Phinney at the Grand Piano and Yancey Moore at the Organ. Dave Berry will lead the the Hymn Sing.
On FEBRUARY 4 & 5, the Movie, “Courageous” is to be shown. On Saturday, at First United Methodist Church, 53 McKinley Ave, Endicott the Doors will open at 5:30. On Sunday the movie will be shown at Union Center UMC, doors opening at 2:00. As vividly illustrated in COURAGEOUS, the impact of fathers in the lives of their children is immense. This powerful film has been the starting point for a movement of fathers creating a legacy of Godly families. A free will offering will benefit the youth retreat in April.
No comments:
Post a Comment